The National Football League is currently embroiled in a debate over the Philadelphia Eagles' controversial "tush push" play, which has been a significant factor in their consecutive runs to the Super Bowl. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reportedly taken an unusual step by advocating for the ban of this tactic, citing concerns over competitive balance.
The "tush push" involves a quarterback lining up directly behind the center and then being thrust forward into the end zone with the help of two teammates during short-yardage situations. This strategy has caused headaches for opposing coaches who have found it difficult to counter, leading to discussions about its fairness within the league.
Questioning Goodell's Authority
Despite Goodell's stance on the matter, he does not possess the unilateral power to prohibit the play. Instead, any change to the rules would require a majority vote from the NFL's competition committee followed by an endorsement from the team owners.
The current composition of the eight-person competition committee includes representatives from several NFC East teams—Stephen Jones, Executive Vice President of the Dallas Cowboys; John Mara, owner of the New York Giants; and Ron Rivera, head coach of the Washington Commanders. Notably absent from the committee are representatives from the Eagles, potentially putting them at a disadvantage in the voting process.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, an internal league source indicated that while Goodell is without a formal role on the committee, his opinion could be influential. "Though it will all come down to the voting, the most important opinion about the play may come from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell," Russini reported. "I was told by a league source that Goodell wants to see this play removed from the game permanently."
Other teams have attempted to replicate the Eagles' success with their versions of the "tush push" but have not been able to match the Eagles' proficiency or consistency. Since the start of the 2022 season up to October 18, the Eagles have achieved a remarkable 93.5 percent success rate with the play when quarterback Jalen Hurts is at the helm.
Eagles' center Jason Kelce has acknowledged the physical toll of the "tush push" during an NBC interview in October. "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," said Kelce. "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 its challenges, Kelce and other Eagles players believe the play should remain legal. They argue that it is simply a variation of the quarterback sneak and should be countered by strategic coaching rather than a league-wide ban.
The Undefeatable Strategy
While injuries from the "tush push" are rare, the underlying concern prompting Goodell's proposed ban seems to be the play's seemingly invincible nature. There is precedent in contact sports for regulatory bodies stepping in to curb dominant strategies or plays. For example, the St. George Dragons' 11-year championship streak in Australian rugby league was halted following rule changes that introduced tackle restrictions, illustrating how adjustments to the rules can influence the dynamics of a sport.
The Eagles are likely to argue that their "tush push" success is due to superior coaching and player execution rather than an inherent unfairness in the play itself. They contend that it should be the responsibility of opposing teams' coaching staff to develop effective countermeasures, rather than relying on the intervention of the commissioner to disrupt their winning formula.
As the debate continues, the football community watches closely to see if the "tush push" will be pushed out of the game or if it will stand as a testament to the Eagles' innovative approach to the sport. The decision of the competition committee, influenced by the perspectives of various stakeholders including Goodell, will ultimately determine the fate of this contentious play.