NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reportedly set his sights on the Philadelphia Eagles' controversial "tush push" play, a strategy that has been instrumental in their back-to-back Super Bowl runs. This unconventional play involves a quarterback positioning directly behind the center and then being pushed into the end zone by two assisting players during critical short-yardage situations.
According to The Athletic, Goodell has observed various opposing coaches grappling with countering this tactic. His intervention aims to address concerns about potential unfair advantages and strives to ensure a level playing field for all teams in the league.
Authority to Ban the Play
Despite his position as the face of the league's executive branch, Goodell does not possess the unilateral power to prohibit the play. The process requires a majority vote from the competition committee, followed by approval from the team owners, to officially enact such a rule change.
The competition committee, which is comprised of eight members, includes representatives from three NFC East teams: 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. Notably absent from this influential group is any representation from the Eagles organization.
An internal league source conveyed to Dianna Russini of The Athletic that while Goodell does not have a seat on the committee, his opinion on the matter 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."
Other teams have attempted to replicate the "tush push" play, but none have matched the Eagles' proficiency. 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 of October 18, according to statistics from The Athletic.
In an interview with NBC in October, Eagles’ center Jason Kelce candidly spoke about the physical toll of the play. "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," Kelce 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."
Despite acknowledging the demanding nature of the "tush push," Kelce, along with his teammates, believes that the play should remain legal. He views it as simply a "quarterback sneak play," one that falls within the existing rules of the game.
Concerns Over the Play's Effectiveness
While injuries resulting from the "tush push" are rare, the push to ban the play seems to be driven by its perceived invincibility rather than safety concerns. History has shown that sports leagues sometimes intervene to curb dominant strategies or techniques. For example, the St. George Dragons' reign over Australian rugby league, winning 11 consecutive championships from 1956 through 1966, ended after rule changes were introduced to limit tackle counts, illustrating how the sport's governing bodies can influence competitive balance.
The Eagles are likely to argue that their effective use of the "tush push" is not a product of an unfair tactic but rather a testament to their coaching staff's strategic acumen and the players' execution skills. They might contend that it is superior coaching and strategizing from opposing teams, not Goodell's proposed intervention, that should neutralize their successful plays.
As the debate continues, the fate of the "tush push" hangs in the balance. Will it be deemed an unfair advantage and thus stricken from the playbook? Or will it survive the scrutiny, reinforcing the Eagles' strategic prowess? The decision rests with the competition committee and the league's owners, whose votes will ultimately determine whether this unique play remains a part of the NFL's tactical landscape.