Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has pushed back against the Green Bay Packers’ proposal to ban the tush push, a play in which teammates push an opposing quarterback to gain yardage. The play has been successful for the Eagles, particularly with Jalen Hurts, who used it to great effect in their Super Bowl victory.
The Packers have struggled to stop and convert on the play, and general manager Brian Gutekunst confirmed that his team had submitted a proposal to ban it. However, Sirianni believes the play is a skill that can be mastered by teams with talented players and effective coaching.
“I think it’s a little unfair to say we’re automatic because we work hard at it,” Sirianni said. “We’ve practiced the snap and the fundamentals of the play extensively. Our guys are talented, and I’m insulted that you would suggest otherwise.”
Sirianni pointed to the Eagles’ success with the play as evidence that it’s not an automatic result. The team has used the play successfully in short-yardage situations for three seasons, including during their Super Bowl win.
The NFL Competition Committee will review the proposal and consider player safety concerns, but Sirianni believes injuries are overblown. “I think that’s a little made up,” he said. “We’ve had no major injuries on this play, and we’ve run it more than anyone else.”
Several other teams, including the Buffalo Bills, have copied the Eagles’ use of the tush push. While some coaches, like Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris, support banning the play, others, like Packers president Mark Murphy, believe it’s “bad for the game.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/feb/25/tush-push-ban-nfl-eagles