The Tush Push, a controversial play used by the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2023 NFL season, has been a topic of discussion among fans and league officials. The play, which involves quarterback Jalen Hurts pushing center Jason Kelce from behind to gain short yardage, has been both praised for its effectiveness and criticized for its potential safety risks.
However, NFL executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent recently made it clear that the Tush Push will not be banned by the league’s Competition Committee. During an appearance on PFT Live, Vincent stated, “Don’t punish a team that strategically does it well.” He also mentioned that the committee did not even discuss the play during their recent meeting and that there are no plans to bring it up at the upcoming league meeting.
The success of the Tush Push for the Eagles cannot be denied. Philadelphia led the league with a 71.4 percent conversion rate on fourth-down run plays with two yards or fewer to go. In goal-to-go situations, the Eagles scored 13 touchdowns on 19 attempts when running from two yards or closer, the highest rate in the league. Jalen Hurts co-led all quarterbacks with 15 rushing touchdowns, most of which came from inside the 2-yard line.
Despite its success, there are concerns about the safety of the Tush Push. Jason Kelce himself has called it a “grueling play” that sacrifices short-term gain for potential long-term pain. Reports have surfaced of players getting injured during failed Tush Push attempts, prompting the league to consider the play’s safety implications.
In conclusion, while the Tush Push has proven to be an effective strategy for the Eagles, its safety concerns may eventually lead to its demise in the future. For now, however, it appears that the play is here to stay, much to the delight of Eagles fans and the chagrin of their opponents.
