In an unprecedented move that has stirred up the NFL community, Commissioner Roger Goodell has reportedly set his sights on banning a controversial play known as the "tush push," which has been a significant factor in the Philadelphia Eagles' back-to-back Super Bowl runs. This tactic involves a quarterback positioning themselves directly behind the center and then being propelled into the end zone with the help of two assisting players during critical short-yardage situations.
Goodell's intervention comes as various coaches across the league have struggled to find effective countermeasures against the Eagles' unique strategy. The Athletic reports that his goal is to eliminate what some perceive as an unfair advantage and create a more level playing field within the game.
Commissioner's Limited Power
Despite Goodell's strong stance on the matter, he does not possess the unilateral power to enact such a ban. For any rule change to take effect, it must first garner the support of the majority of the competition committee and then be ratified by the team owners.
Among the eight-person competition committee, three members hail from NFC East teams: Dallas Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones, New York Giants owner John Mara, and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera. Notably absent from this influential group is any representation from the Eagles.
An internal league source disclosed to Dianna Russini of The Athletic that while Goodell holds no official role within the committee, his perspective carries considerable weight, especially among those who have faced the formidable challenge of stopping the Eagles on the field. According to Russini, “Though it will all come down to the voting, the most important opinion about the play may come from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. I was told by a league source that Goodell wants to see this play removed from the game permanently.”
While other teams have attempted to replicate the "tush push" play, none have matched the Eagles' mastery and consistency. Since the start of the 2022 season, the team has executed the play with a staggering 93.5 percent success rate in short-yardage scenarios, as per statistics from The Athletic.
Jason Kelce, the Eagles’ center, acknowledged the physical toll of the play in an October interview with NBC. He described the experience vividly: “All the weight and everything lying up on top of you, and you’ve got to wait for everybody else to get up before you can get up. It’s a grueling play, for sure. And, you know, if you do it right, you’re at the bottom. If you’re not at the bottom, it usually didn’t go well.” Despite this, Kelce and his teammates contend that the play should remain legal, characterizing the "tush push" as merely a strategic variant of the quarterback sneak.
The Issue of Invincibility
While injuries associated with the "tush push" are reportedly rare, concerns persist regarding its seemingly invincible nature. There is precedent in other contact sports for interventions to curb dominant strategies. A notable example includes the St. George Dragons' reign in Australian rugby league, where they secured 11 straight championships from 1956 to 1966 using unlimited tackle rugby. Their dominance diminished after the introduction of rules limiting tackles, showcasing how regulatory changes can significantly impact competitive dynamics.
The Eagles, for their part, may attempt to persuade the league that their success with the "tush push" is not due to any inherent unfairness but rather a testament to their coaching staff's effectiveness and the skills of their players. They argue that it should be the responsibility of the opposing teams' superior coaching, not an intervention from Goodell, to neutralize their tactical advantage.
As the NFL community awaits the outcome of this debate, the future of the "tush push" hangs in the balance. Will it be pushed out of the playbook, or will it continue to be a powerful weapon in the Eagles' arsenal? Only time—and the competition committee's vote—will tell.