What Is the ‘Tush Push’ and Why Does the Rest of the NFL Hate It so Much?
The Philadelphia Eagles transformed the standard quarterback sneak into one of the NFL’s most hotly debated plays. Known as the “Tush Push,” the play involves players pushing their quarterback forward after the snap to gain critical short-yardage. Its effectiveness has frustrated opponents, sparked accusations of unfairness, and raised concerns about player safety.
Despite a lack of injury data, team owners nearly passed a proposal to ban it. The play remains legal, but its future remains uncertain as the league continues to evaluate its place in the modern game.
The Tush Push Depends on Timing, Strength, and Repetition
This move involves a direct snap to the quarterback, followed by an immediate forward surge by the offensive line. Behind the quarterback, one or two teammates push him through the line of scrimmage.
The Eagles execute the tactic using Jalen Hurts, who brings a strong build and powerful lower-body strength. Hurts is capable of squatting up to 600 pounds, which gives him the ability to drive forward behind a collapsing pocket. The offensive line, led by players like Jason Kelce before his retirement, controls the point of attack.
In most cases, the team uses the formation in short-yardage situations, typically within two yards of a first down or goal line. The Eagles have refined the mechanics through in-game repetitions and film study. The team has used multiple player combinations and formations to keep defenses off balance. So far, they’ve seen consistent results without relying on deception or complexity.
Other Teams Struggle to Replicate the Same Success
While the Tush Push sounds simple enough, it has proven extremely difficult for other teams to imitate. Since 2022, only a few teams have attempted the play more than five times. The Buffalo Bills come closest to matching the Eagles’ usage and have ended up recording 57 total attempts with an 89.5% success rate.
Most other teams avoid the tactic entirely or use it only once or twice per season. Meanwhile, four teams—the Saints, Dolphins, Panthers, and Commanders—have never attempted the formation. This is mainly because execution requires specific personnel. A strong and compact quarterback is one part, but the interior linemen must also win leverage consistently.
Coaches also face limitations during practice, where full-contact reps are avoided. Without real-game experience, it becomes difficult to develop the timing required for efficiency. Teams with top-rated run-blocking units still skip the play due to risk concerns or coaching philosophy. In Week 1 of 2025, only two teams—the Eagles and Bills—ran the play at all, despite the widespread discussion surrounding it.
Safety Concerns Persist
Image via Getty Images/Pyrosky
Various coaches and executives argue that the Tush Push puts players at unnecessary risk. Opponents focus on the potential for lower-body injuries, head-first contact, and uncontrolled scrums at the line of scrimmage. The Green Bay Packers proposed a ban based on safety and aesthetics, but no significant injuries were reported during the 2024 season.
According to league data, just 101 of over 35,000 offensive plays leveraged the Tush Push in 2024, which accounts for only 0.285% of total plays. The league has not identified any injuries directly linked to the strategy. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that reports are limited and don’t show a clear pattern.
Jeffrey Lurie, owner of the Eagles, said the move offers more protection than a standard quarterback sneak, where the quarterback lunges into a crowd without teammates surrounding him. However, with no verified injury information, the league has postponed further decisions. The next vote on the proposal is expected in the upcoming meetings.