The famous “Tush Push” play, made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles, could be banned at this year’s NFL annual league meetings in Palm Beach, Florida but Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni says three head coaches “better” vote in the play’s favor.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Sirianni told NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo on Sunday. “All I will say about it is Jonathan Gannon, Shane Steichen and Kellen Moore better vote for it. They are in the [head coach] position right now because of that play. So all three, I better have those three votes right there and the Eagles’ vote. I at least know we have four.”
Gannon (Cardinals) and Steichen (Colts) were both hired as head coaches in 2023 and Moore left the organization just this offseason to become the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Given that the “Tush Push” has been a key part of Philadelphia’s success over their tenures and, in part, helped them ascend to these roles, they — in theory — should be strong supporters to keep it around.
However, there are detractors of the “Tush Push,” including the Green Bay Packers, who were the ones to officially put forward the topic of banning the play. Earlier this offseason, Packers CEO Mark Murphy wrote in a Q&A on the official team website that he is “not a fan of this play” and there is “no skill involved,” while also admitting that it’s essentially an automatic first down or score with a yard or less to gain. Bills coach Sean McDermott also expressed concerns about player safety regarding the play during the NFL Scouting Combine.
For his part, Sirianni is certainly hoping that this attempt to ban the play isn’t as successful as the “Tush Push” itself. Last season (including playoffs), Philadelphia converted 39 of its 48 “Tush Push” plays either into a first down or touchdown.
For this ban to go into effect, there will need to be a two-thirds majority (at least 24 teams).
Parts of this article came via CBS Sports
