Charger Report

Jim Harbaugh makes his stance extremely clear on "Tush Push Gate"

The head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers already has his sites set on 2025. He chimed in recently as there’s been people pushing to eliminate the push.
Russell Baxter|
Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh loosk on during the third quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh loosk on during the third quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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The NFL has often been referred to as a copycat league. In recent days, there’s been more renewed discussion regarding an offensive maneuver that has become a staple of the Philadelphia Eagles’ ground game these past three seasons. It seems everyone has an opinion, at least when asked.

Prior to Super Bowl LIX, Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts was asked about the play. It’s been called the “Tush Push,” as well as the “Brotherly Shove.” The five-year pro, who earned Super Bowl LIX MVP honors in his team’s 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, had his own nom de guerre for the play.

Which brings us to Chargers’ head coach Jim Harbaugh. His penchant for physical football is well known. That was a staple at Stanford University, as well as during his four-year tenure with the San Francisco 49ers. In his first season with the Bolts, he brought that philosophy to the AFC West. The Chargers went from a last place club to a playoff team. A running game that finished 25th in the league in 2023 improved to 14th this past season.

When asked recently about the controversy surrounding the “Tush Push” and the “Brotherly Shove,” he kept it simple. “It just seems like it works every single time, but it seems like football to me. Get good at it or stop it,” explained Harbaugh. "I don’t have a strong opinion on it right now and probably defer to others and see which way the vote goes. Get good at it ourselves, or get in position to stop it.”

On Monday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic revealed the one NFL team that had taken a step in order to eliminate the play.

Of course, the Eagles knocked off the Packers twice in 2024. As for the Chargers, it’s not a mystery that general manager Joe Hortiz and the organization need to address the interior of the offensive line before any real pushing and shoving is going to be successful.

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Russell Baxter
RUSSELL BAXTER

Russell S. Baxter has been writing and researching the game of football for more than 40 years, and on numerous platforms. That includes television, as he spent more than two decades at ESPN, and was part of shows that garnered five Emmy Awards. He also spent the 2015 NFL season with Thursday Night Football on CBS/NFLN.

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