NFL Executives Clarify League’s Stance on Eagles’ Tush Push Play
The Eagles use of the Tush Push, their version of the QB sneak, has become a weapon for the team’s offense. It is such a hard play to stop that teams have tried to adopt it themselves—though most of them are unsuccessful—and there have been rumors that the league will look into banning the play in the offseason.
However, it does not seem like the NFL is going to alter the rules to move away from this specific play. NFL executive Troy Vincent said the league is not interested in changing the rules to eliminate the Tush Push.
“That was false,” Vincent said about the rumors, via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “This play has evolved.”
Vincent added that the league doesn’t want to change rules just because one team has been better at a particular play than the others. Additionally, NFL executive Jeff Miller said that there is not a big enough sample size to determine whether it is dangerous to player safety.
Commisioner Roger Goodell took a more diplomatic tone, saying he does not have a definitive opinion on the play.
“I haven’t taken a position on that one,” Goodell said, via Pro Football Talk. “Last year the committee had a lot of different views on that, the membership did. I want to hear that again this year. I want to hear how people feel about it.”
Ultimately, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and the team’s offensive line are just significantly better at running the QB sneak than anyone else. Since they haven’t found a loophole in the game, and as long as the play does not increase injury risk, the NFL has not decided to act and change the rules.
