In an unprecedented move, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reportedly taken a stance against the Philadelphia Eagles’ controversial "tush push" play. This unique tactic has been a significant factor in the team's back-to-back Super Bowl runs. The "tush push" involves the quarterback positioning directly behind the center and then being thrust forward into the end zone with the help of two additional players during critical short-yardage situations.
Goodell's intervention stems from concerns raised by various coaches who have found it challenging to counter the play. According to reports from The Athletic, the commissioner is seeking to eliminate what he perceives as an unfair advantage and aims to ensure competitive balance across the league.
Commissioner's Limited Power
Despite his influential position, Goodell does not possess the unilateral power to ban a specific play. To enact such a change, a majority vote from the NFL's competition committee is required, followed by the consent of the team owners. The current eight-person competition committee includes representatives from three NFC East teams: Stephen Jones, EVP of the Dallas Cowboys; John Mara, owner of the New York Giants; and Ron Rivera, head coach of the Washington Commanders. Notably absent from this group is any representation from the Philadelphia Eagles.
An internal league source disclosed to Dianna Russini of The Athletic that while Goodell does not hold a seat on the committee, his opinion on the "tush push" could be pivotal. Russini's report included the following insight: "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."
The Eagles' mastery of the "tush push" has prompted other teams to attempt their versions, yet none have replicated the Eagles' success. Since the start of the 2022 season, the Eagles have executed the play with a staggering 93.5 percent success rate in short-yardage scenarios, as reported by The Athletic as of October 18.
Eagles' center Jason Kelce spoke candidly about the physical toll of the play in an October interview with NBC. "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 acknowledging the play's demanding nature, Kelce and his teammates have argued against its prohibition, maintaining that the "tush push" is merely an innovative variation of the quarterback sneak play.
Invincibility in Question
Concerns over the play's seemingly unbeatable character are at the heart of Goodell's push for a permanent ban. Although injuries resulting from the "tush push" have been rare, the commissioner's concern appears to mirror actions taken in other contact sports where dominant strategies have been curtailed to preserve the spirit of competition. For example, the St. George Dragons' rugby league team in Australia saw their era of dominance, marked by 11 straight championships from 1956 to 1966, come to an end when new rules limiting tackles were introduced. This historical precedent shows how rule changes can significantly influence the dynamics of a sport.
The Eagles, however, are likely to argue that their success with the "tush push" is a product of superior coaching and player execution rather than an inherent unfairness in the play itself. They believe that it should be up to the opposing teams' coaching staff to devise strategies to stop them, rather than having the league intervene with a rule change.
As the debate continues, the NFL community awaits the decision of the competition committee and the team owners. Their ruling will determine whether the "tush push" remains a part of the Eagles' playbook or if it will be pushed out of the game entirely. What is clear is that the outcome of this dispute will have lasting implications for the strategic evolution of NFL gameplay.