In a move that has sent ripples across the National Football League (NFL), Commissioner Roger Goodell has reportedly taken steps to ban the Philadelphia Eagles' controversial "tush push" play—a strategy that has been central to their back-to-back Super Bowl runs. The "tush push" involves the quarterback positioning directly behind the center and then being propelled into the end zone by two assisting players in short-yardage situations.
Goodell's intervention comes as coaches from opposing teams have found themselves at a loss on how to counter the Eagles' signature play. The Athletic reports that Goodell is motivated by a desire to ensure fairness in the game, aiming to eliminate what is perceived as an unfair advantage.
Limitations of Authority
Despite his position as commissioner, Goodell does not possess the unilateral power to enact such a ban. The process requires a majority vote from the NFL competition committee, followed by approval from team owners. This committee includes representatives from various teams but notably excludes any from the Philadelphia Eagles. Among its eight members are 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—all from NFC East teams, which are division rivals of the Eagles.
A league source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, conveyed to Dianna Russini of The Athletic that while the final decision rests with the committee's vote, Goodell's stance on the issue carries significant weight. "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."
The Eagles have mastered the "tush push," with other teams attempting to replicate the maneuver without the same level of success. Since the start of the 2022 season, the Eagles have achieved a staggering 93.5 percent success rate with the play when quarterback Jalen Hurts is at the helm, according to statistics from The Athletic as of October 18.
Eagles' center Jason Kelce described the physical toll of the play in 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," he said. "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."
Nevertheless, Kelce and his teammates stand by the legality of the "tush push." They argue that it is merely an innovative take on the traditional quarterback sneak play and should not be subject to prohibition.
Concerns Over Competitive Balance
While instances of injury from the "tush push" remain relatively rare, the concerns raised by Goodell appear to extend beyond player safety. The notion of the play being nearly undefeatable has prompted the commissioner's call for action. This isn't unprecedented in contact sports; dominant strategies have often been curtailed to maintain competitive balance.
An illustrative example comes from Australian rugby league history, where the St. George Dragons dominated the sport, securing 11 straight championships from 1956 to 1966 through a tactic known as unlimited tackle rugby. Their reign ended when new rules were introduced to limit tackles, showcasing the impact of rule changes on the dynamics of a sport.
As the debate over the "tush push" continues, the Eagles may seek to persuade the league that their success is not a product of an unfair play but rather the result of superior coaching and execution. They contend that it should be up to the ingenuity of the opposing coaching staff to devise effective countermeasures, rather than relying on the league's intervention to disrupt their winning formula.
The outcome of this controversy will undoubtedly have significant implications for the Eagles and the NFL at large. It remains to be seen whether Goodell's influence will sway the competition committee and the team owners to enact a ban on the "tush push," or if the Eagles will continue to deploy their distinctive strategy on the road to potential future championships.