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Part of the Eagles’ success in running the Tush Push has been attributed to the team’s roster and personnel. The [[2024 Philadelphia Eagles season|2024 Philadelphia Eagles]] featured one of the largest offensive lines in the league, including right tackle [[Lane Johnson]], standing at {{convert|6|ft|6|in|m|2}}, and weighing {{convert|325|lbs|kg|0}}; left tackle [[Jordan Mailata]], who measures at {{convert|6|ft|8|in|m|2}} and {{convert|365|lbs|kg|0}}; and left guard [[Landon Dickerson]], who is {{convert|6|ft|6|in|m|2}} and {{convert|335|lbs|kg|0}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=McManus|first=Tim |date=September 16, 2025 |title=Big brother Kelce looms over Eagles’ tush push success |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41234531/philadelphia-eagles-tush-push-jason-kelce |access-date=March 3, 2025 |publisher=[[ESPN]] }}</ref> When the Eagles ran the play, quarterback [[Jalen Hurts]], a former [[powerlifter]] who could squat {{convert|600|lbs|kg|0}}, was designed to run behind the combined {{convert|697|lbs|kg|0}} of Mailata and Dickerson, along with center [[Cam Jurgens]], who weighed {{convert|303|lbs|kg|0}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kerr |first=Jeff |date=February 9, 2025 |title=What is the Tush Push? How Eagles execute the play and why they run it so well |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/what-is-the-tush-push-how-eagles-execute-the-play-and-why-they-run-it-so-well/ |access-date=March 3, 2025 |publisher=[[CBS Sports]] }}</ref> Hurts’ uniquely strong lower-body strength and strong instincts for finding openings in the line of scrimmage have been cited as some of the key components for making the play work, and why other teams have failed to successfully replicate it. Another important aspect noted for the play’s success is the ability of the interior offensive linemen to create significant push and get lower than the defensive linemen; former Eagles center [[Jason Kelce]], who participated in the Tush Push during its inception, was noted to have this skillset.<ref name=”unstoppable” />

Part of the Eagles’ success in running the Tush Push has been attributed to the team’s roster and personnel. The [[2024 Philadelphia Eagles season|2024 Philadelphia Eagles]] featured one of the largest offensive lines in the league, including right tackle [[Lane Johnson]], standing at {{convert|6|ft|6|in|m|2}}, and weighing {{convert|325|lbs|kg|0}}; left tackle [[Jordan Mailata]], who measures at {{convert|6|ft|8|in|m|2}} and {{convert|365|lbs|kg|0}}; and left guard [[Landon Dickerson]], who is {{convert|6|ft|6|in|m|2}} and {{convert|335|lbs|kg|0}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=McManus|first=Tim |date=September 16, 2025 |title=Big brother Kelce looms over Eagles’ tush push success |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41234531/philadelphia-eagles-tush-push-jason-kelce |access-date=March 3, 2025 |publisher=[[ESPN]] }}</ref> When the Eagles ran the play, quarterback [[Jalen Hurts]], a former [[powerlifter]] who could squat {{convert|600|lbs|kg|0}}, was designed to run behind the combined {{convert|697|lbs|kg|0}} of Mailata and Dickerson, along with center [[Cam Jurgens]], who weighed {{convert|303|lbs|kg|0}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kerr |first=Jeff |date=February 9, 2025 |title=What is the Tush Push? How Eagles execute the play and why they run it so well |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/what-is-the-tush-push-how-eagles-execute-the-play-and-why-they-run-it-so-well/ |access-date=March 3, 2025 |publisher=[[CBS Sports]] }}</ref> Hurts’ uniquely strong lower-body strength and strong instincts for finding openings in the line of scrimmage have been cited as some of the key components for making the play work, and why other teams have failed to successfully replicate it. Another important aspect noted for the play’s success is the ability of the interior offensive linemen to create significant push and get lower than the defensive linemen; former Eagles center [[Jason Kelce]], who participated in the Tush Push during its inception, was noted to have this skillset.<ref name=”unstoppable” />

The lack of the right personnel to properly execute the Tush Push also causes difficulty for many teams to replicate the play during practice. Former Eagles coordinator [[Shane Steichen]] stated the play improved and evolved as they ran it more in the actual games. With many teams unable to replicate the Tush Push with their own players, whether in the games or in practice, this also causes difficulty to determine ways to defend the play as well.<ref name=”unstoppable” /> During the 2024 NFC Championship Game against the Eagles, the [[Washington Commanders]] drew three consecutive penalties as a result of trying to anticipate the snap count when the Eagles lined up for the Tush Push. Commanders linebacker [[Frankie Luvu]] would receive a disqualification warning after getting called twice for encroachment during this sequence, and after the Commanders were penalized for the third time, the referee warned that a touchdown would automatically be called for the Eagles if it happened again.<ref>{{cite web |last=Owens |first=Jason |date=January 26, 2025 |title=NFC championship: Commanders warned by officials that bad goal-line ‘behavior’ could result in free Eagles TD |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfc-championship-commanders-warned-by-officials-that-bad-goal-line-behavior-could-result-in-free-eagles-td-232607392.html |access-date=September 19, 2025 |publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]] }}</ref>

the right personnel to properly execute the Tush Push also causes difficulty for many teams to replicate the play during practice. Former Eagles coordinator [[Shane Steichen]] stated the play improved and evolved as they ran it more in the actual games. With many teams unable to replicate the Tush Push with their own players, whether in the games or in practice, this also causes difficulty to determine ways to defend the play as well.<ref name=”unstoppable” /> During the 2024 NFC Championship Game against the Eagles, the [[Washington Commanders]] drew three consecutive penalties as a result of trying to anticipate the snap count when the Eagles lined up for the Tush Push. Commanders linebacker [[Frankie Luvu]] would receive a disqualification warning after getting called twice for encroachment during this sequence, and after the Commanders were penalized for the third time, the referee warned that a touchdown would automatically be called for the Eagles if it happened again.<ref>{{cite web |last=Owens |first=Jason |date=January 26, 2025 |title=NFC championship: Commanders warned by officials that bad goal-line ‘behavior’ could result in free Eagles TD |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfc-championship-commanders-warned-by-officials-that-bad-goal-line-behavior-could-result-in-free-eagles-td-232607392.html |access-date=September 19, 2025 |publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]] }}</ref>

=== Criticism ===

=== Criticism ===

Play in American football

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been involved in the team’s Tush Push play since 2021.

The Tush Push, also known as the Brotherly Shove, is an American football play popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles. It is a variation of the traditional quarterback sneak, in which the quarterback takes the snap and immediately drives forward while the offensive line is also surging forward. In the Eagles’ version, additional players line up behind the quarterback and physically push him forward as the offensive line surges ahead.

The Eagles first attempted the Tush Push in 2021 with Jalen Hurts as their quarterback. Since 2022, the Eagles have regularly executed the Tush Push with notable success, making it a key part of their offensive strategy and contributing to their appearances in Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LIX, the latter of which they won. The play has drawn controversy, with some calling for it to be banned. Critics argue that it is difficult for referees to officiate, poses safety risks, and creates an unfair advantage, while supporters contend that it is legal, available to all teams, and should not be banned simply due to the Eagles’ effectiveness running it.

The appearance of the play has drawn comparisons to a scrum, a method used in rugby.

The Tush Push is a variation of the quarterback sneak, which is a basic play in American football. It involves the quarterback lining up directly behind the center, taking the snap, and immediately diving or pushing forward behind the offensive line. The play is designed to gain a short distance, usually to convert a 3rd or 4th down and inches, or to score near the goal line.[1] The pushing from behind has often been compared to several different rugby union forms of gameplay, such as the scrum, driving maul,[2] and pick-and-go.[3]

The play’s origins trace back decades to the innovative coaching of Bill Snyder at Kansas State University.[4][5] Starting around 2005, Snyder began experimenting with assisted quarterback sneaks, recognizing the potential for maximizing short-yardage efficiency. His approach was characteristically methodical–identifying a strategic advantage and refining it through systematic implementation.[4] From 2015 to 2018, Snyder’s offensive coordinator Dana Dimel played a crucial role in implementing and developing the early version of the play.[6] The play and its nickname can also be traced to the Bush push, where University of Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart scored a last-second touchdown against the University of Notre Dame in 2005 thanks to a shove from teammate Reggie Bush; the NFL removed the prohibition on pushing ball-carriers the next year.[7]

The Indianapolis Colts would run a variation of the play during week 10 of the 2020 season. Nick Sirianni, their offensive coordinator at the time, would join the Philadelphia Eagles as head coach the next year.[8] He would later credit Colts head coach Frank Reich and quarterback Jacoby Brissett for inspiring the play, along with his future Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland and their former quarterback Carson Wentz.[4]

Implementation by the Philadelphia Eagles

[edit]

Sirianni would introduce the play’s concept to the Eagles upon joining the team in 2021. The team first ran it in week 11, in a home game against the New Orleans Saints on November 21, with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts being pushed from behind by tight end Dallas Goedert while the offensive line simultaneously drove forward to successfully convert for a first down.[4]

The Eagles continued to incorporate the play during the 2022 season, trying out different variations in short-yardage situations.[4] Then-offensive coordinator Shane Steichen would later cite their week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals as a turning point. Initially, it was merely one of the Eagles’ many short-yardage plays, but after successfully using it to make five out of six first-down conversions against the Cardinals, the team decided to make it their singular focus in those situations.[9] During the next week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, the team would additionally line up a running back behind Hurts, resulting in the now-familiar formation of two players on each of the quarterback’s hips.[4][3] The controversial play became widely known as the “Tush Push”,[7] as well as the “Brotherly Shove”, which is a play on the “City of Brotherly Love” nickname for Philadelphia.[10]

Following the season’s end, Stoutland would contact Scottish rugby coach Richie Gray,[11] with the intent to bring him into the organization during the offseason to refine the play’s technique.[8]

The Philadelphia Eagles would use the Tush Push to score the first touchdown of Super Bowl LIX, which they would win.

Pundits have noted the effectiveness of the Tush Push, with several calling the play “unstoppable”.[5][9][10] During the 2022 season, the Philadelphia Eagles converted 29-of-32 attempts for a first down–a success rate of over 90%.[12] Between 2022 and 2024, 28 of the 32 teams in the NFL attempted a variation of the play,[4] while other college football teams have also adapted some form of the Tush Push.[13] Throughout that same period, the Eagles and the Buffalo Bills executed the play 163 times. Both teams either scored a touchdown or achieved a first down 87% of the time, while the rest of the NFL has only been successful on 71% of attempts.[14] Additionally, the Eagles would reach both Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LIX in the same timeframe and score the first touchdown of both games using the Tush Push, ultimately losing the first Super Bowl but winning the second.[15][14]

Part of the Eagles’ success in running the Tush Push has been attributed to the team’s roster and personnel. The 2024 Philadelphia Eagles featured one of the largest offensive lines in the league, including right tackle Lane Johnson, standing at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m), and weighing 325 pounds (147 kg); left tackle Jordan Mailata, who measures at 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) and 365 pounds (166 kg); and left guard Landon Dickerson, who is 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) and 335 pounds (152 kg).[16] When the Eagles ran the play, quarterback Jalen Hurts, a former powerlifter who could squat 600 pounds (272 kg), was designed to run behind the combined 697 pounds (316 kg) of Mailata and Dickerson, along with center Cam Jurgens, who weighed 303 pounds (137 kg).[17] Hurts’ uniquely strong lower-body strength and strong instincts for finding openings in the line of scrimmage have been cited as some of the key components for making the play work, and why other teams have failed to successfully replicate it. Another important aspect noted for the play’s success is the ability of the interior offensive linemen to create significant push and get lower than the defensive linemen; former Eagles center Jason Kelce, who participated in the Tush Push during its inception, was noted to have this skillset.[9]

Lacking the right personnel to properly execute the Tush Push also causes difficulty for many teams to replicate the play during practice. Former Eagles coordinator Shane Steichen stated the play improved and evolved as they ran it more in the actual games. With many teams unable to replicate the Tush Push with their own players, whether in the games or in practice, this also causes difficulty to determine ways to defend the play as well.[9] During the 2024 NFC Championship Game against the Eagles, the Washington Commanders drew three consecutive penalties as a result of trying to anticipate the snap count when the Eagles lined up for the Tush Push. Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu would receive a disqualification warning after getting called twice for encroachment during this sequence, and after the Commanders were penalized for the third time, the referee warned that a touchdown would automatically be called for the Eagles if it happened again.[18]

Some NFL teams have lobbied to ban the Tush Push outright, citing safety concerns and the “assisting the runner” penalty. The tactic takes advantage of an NFL rule that was modified in 2005 to allow players to assist the ball carrier in the form of pushing, which was previously banned, although “pulling” and “carrying” are still prohibited.[19] In 2022, NFL’s officiating department issued a clarification regarding whether the play should be penalized: “This is not a foul, because what he is doing is pushing the runner. Players are allowed to push, but they are not allowed to encircle and pull to assist the runner.”[3] In 2023, NFL investigated the potential injury risk of the play and concluded “nothing notable” was found, although NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated there were other aspects about the play to consider.[20]

Despite his team’s usage of the play, Bills head coach Sean McDermott would state that it is “potentially contrary to the health and safety of the players”.[14] Quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Kyler Murray requested their teams not call the play after nearly getting injured when running it before.[9] Former Eagles center and prominent Tush Push participant Kelce acknowledged it as a “grueling play” but added that football is “a sport that comes down to physicality”.[21] On February 26, 2025, NFL executive Troy Vincent said no injury was suffered on a Tush Push play in 2024, per the league’s internal data.[22]

During a 2025 week 2 matchup between the Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL said that the officials missed a false start call on at least one occasion when the Eagles ran the Tush Push. As a result, the league office announced that it would instruct its referees to tightly scrutinize any future instance of the play.[23]

“Give credit to Jalen [Hurts] and all those guys for creating a play that someone decided we’re just going to make a rule up to stop it.”

In February 2025, the Green Bay Packers submitted a proposal to the NFL’s competition committee to ban the Tush Push, with the play be a topic of discussion at the Annual League Meeting in March.[24] Other teams opposed banning, as some had begun experimenting with the play themselves.[25][26] On April 1, 2025, the league declined to hold a formal vote on the Packers’ proposed ban after an informal poll showed the teams to be evenly divided on the issue, short of the 3/4 majority that would have been needed to implement the ban.[27]

A second attempt to ban the play was submitted, also by the Packers on May 21, 2025, during the league’s annual spring meetings. The attempt was two votes short, receiving 22 of 24 needed to ban the play. Not including the Eagles, the other nine teams that voted against banning the play were the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans.[28]

  1. ^ DeArdo, Bryan; Clawson, Douglas (November 2, 2023). “Evolution of the QB sneak: How we got here and what history tells us about the ‘Tush Push’s’ future in the NFL”. CBSsports. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  2. ^ Hogwood, Cameron (November 16, 2023). “Richie Gray: Meet Jason Kelce and the Philadelphia Eagles Scottish tush push guru”. Sky Sports.
  3. ^ a b c Kahler, Kalyn (December 6, 2023) [January 17, 2023]. “The tush push: How the Eagles and Jalen Hurts shoved their way to the top of the NFC”. The Athletic. The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 24, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Kahler, Kalyn (May 21, 2025). “Long live the tush push! The controversial play’s top moments”. ESPN. Archived from the original on May 22, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  5. ^ a b “The Tush Push: NFL’s Most Controversial Play Continues to Thrive”. report.herosx.com. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  6. ^ Ruiz, Steven (October 6, 2023). “In a Game of Inches, the Eagles Are Taking a Whole Damn Yard With the “Tush Push”“. The Ringer. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Thomas, Louisa (October 28, 2023). “The N.F.L.’s Rear Guard Is Angry About the “Tush Push”“. The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Tansley, Eduardo (June 5, 2025). “The Scotsman who helped the Eagles perfect the tush push: ‘Nobody else is doing what I do’“. The Athletic. The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 26, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e Holder, Stephen (September 16, 2025). “Why don’t all teams use the unstoppable tush push? Here’s why”. ESPN. Archived from the original on September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Schlachter, Thomas (January 15, 2024). “The ‘Brotherly Shove’: Why in vogue ‘Tush Push’ has become unstoppable play in the NFL”. CNN. Archived from the original on February 27, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  11. ^ Lindsay, Matthew (4 November 2023). “The Scot behind the Philadelphia Eagles play that’s dividing America”. Herald Scotland. The Herald. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  12. ^ Tolentino, Josh (March 4, 2023). “Could complaints lead the NFL to outlaw the Eagles’ QB sneak ‘tush push’ tactic?”. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  13. ^ Johnson, Richard (October 5, 2023). “College Football Has Adopted the Eagles’ Tush Push”. Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c “Packers submitted proposal to ban tush push, GM confirms”. ESPN. February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  15. ^ Green, Austin (February 9, 2025). “Super Bowl LVII rewind: Eagles strike first”. The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  16. ^ McManus, Tim (September 16, 2025). “Big brother Kelce looms over Eagles’ tush push success”. ESPN. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  17. ^ Kerr, Jeff (February 9, 2025). “What is the Tush Push? How Eagles execute the play and why they run it so well”. CBS Sports. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  18. ^ Owens, Jason (January 26, 2025). “NFC championship: Commanders warned by officials that bad goal-line ‘behavior’ could result in free Eagles TD”. Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  19. ^ Robinson, Doug (January 20, 2023). “Making sense of this NFL rule is a heavy load”. Deseret News. Archived from the original on February 27, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  20. ^ Rapp, Timothy (December 14, 2023). “NFL’s Roger Goodell Says ‘I Haven’t Taken a Position’ on ‘Tush Push’ Despite Rumors”. Bleacher Report.
  21. ^ Smith, Michael David (February 22, 2025). “Jason Kelce: Tush push sucks for the center, but is a difference-maker for the Eagles”. ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports.
  22. ^ McKeone, Liam (February 26, 2025). “No Players Were Injured in Tush Push Plays in 2024, NFL Data Shows”. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  23. ^ Mask, Mark (September 18, 2025). “NFL instructs officials to watch for false starts on the tush push”. The Washington Post. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  24. ^ Shook, Nick (February 25, 2025). “Packers propose rule to ban ‘Tush Push’ play popularized by Eagles”. NFL.com.
  25. ^ Kerr, Jeff (March 27, 2023). “Why NFL won’t make rule change on QB sneak push: At least nine teams solidly against banning it, per report”. CBS Sports. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  26. ^ Hermann, Adam (February 27, 2023). “The Eagles’ deadliest weapon is officially under attack”. NBC Philadelphia. NBC Sports. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  27. ^ Dianna Russini, Mike Jones, Jayna Bardahl and RJ Kraft (April 1, 2025). “NFL teams table vote to ban ‘tush push’ at annual league meeting”. The Athletic. The New York Times.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ Pryor, Brooke (May 21, 2025). “Tush push lives: Proposal to ban play in NFL fails”. ESPN. Retrieved May 21, 2025.

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