Potential “Tush Push” Ban Only Adds to Jalen Hurts’ Legacy
On Tuesday, April 1, all 32 NFL owners voted on whether to ban the “tush push,” which was popularized and mastered by the Philadelphia Eagles.
It’s like a traditional QB sneak, except a couple of players are pushing the “tush” of the man under center while he dives forward for yardage.
With 24 votes needed to ban the play, the owners fell short, with 16 votes in favor and 16 against.
However, the discussion is set to be revisited in May 2025 in Minnesota, where a ban may then take place.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, that’s exactly what’s going to happen—a ban.
“Roger Goodell is a master at getting the votes he needs for the issues he wants […] Rest be assured, they’re going to be working to get those 24 votes before the main meeting in Minneapolis. And I believe, ultimately, they will get them,” said Schefter.
At this point, it appears that the Eagles’ notorious play will be discontinued.
If it is, that should be a legitimate accolade on Jalen Hurts’ resume. Let me explain.
Tell It How It Is: Tush Push Ban Is Because Eagles Are Too Good at It
What is a possible reason why teams may want the play banned? An increased risk of injuries.
But is there even data to support that?
Schefter says there isn’t.
“There’s not a lot of data to support the injury risks now, but I was with a team […] They said that they believe that it’s the type of play, because it hasn’t been run that much, that there would be an increased risk of injury, and they’re trying to get out in front of it.”
The NFL did a good job with dynamic kickoffs, which dramatically decreased the rate of injuries on what used to be the most dangerous play in football. At the same time, outlawing the kickoff altogether would limit injuries. Further shortening or even eliminating the preseason would limit injuries. Not adding the proposed 18th game would limit injuries. Regulating Guardian Caps would limit injuries.
But the tush push, without any evidence that it causes injuries, is the player-safety concern here?
If the league is going to ban the tush push, call it what it is. It’s being banned because Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts and the defending champion Eagles run it better than anyone else. They have mastered the art, and teams are frustrated that they can’t stop it.
Eagles Are Unstoppable Fourth-Down Team Since Employing Tush Push
PHOTO: Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images
Since 2022, when the Eagles began employing the tush push regularly, they have been unstoppable on fourth down. Their success rate is 67.6%, and their expected points added per play (EPA/Play) is 0.886.
Respectively, those metrics are 2.14 and 2.22 standard deviations above the NFL mean—the Eagles are outliers. Though they can move the chains without the tush push, it’s also one of the most automatic plays in the league.
Well, for the Eagles, that is. If the tush push could be used en masse, the Birds wouldn’t be the fourth-down outliers they are. The fact is, it’s a play that takes skill, both strength and technique.
Unfortunately for the rest of the NFL, they don’t have the strongest lower-body quarterback in football, coupled with an elite offensive line. The Eagles do.
If the tush push is banned, the Eagles should at least get naming rights.
Something like, “The Jalen Hurts Rule.” He’s got a three-year stretch as a top-five quarterback in the world (give or take), a 69.3% win rate, and a Super Bowl win with MVP honors to boot.
Adding a rule change to his legacy, he’s having a historic start to his career.
PHOTO: Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images
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