For years, countless fans have voiced their frustrations about the nearly unstoppable “tush push,” a play popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles. As the 2025 season approaches, one team president is advocating for a significant rule change to render this play illegal.
Since introducing the tush push in 2022 during short-yardage situations, the Eagles have achieved a success rate exceeding 90 percent on sneak attempts led by star quarterback Jalen Hurts. Each offseason since then, critics have called for adjustments to NFL rules to outlaw the practice of players pushing the quarterback from behind.
Packers team president Mark Murphy recently expressed his concerns about the tush push in a monthly Q&A on the Packers team website, declaring it “bad for the game.” He noted, “I am not a fan of this play. There is no skill involved and it is almost an automatic first down on plays of a yard or less. The series of plays with the Commanders jumping offsides in the NFC Championship Game to try to stop the play was ridiculous. The referee even threatened to give the Eagles an automatic touchdown if the Commanders did not stop it.”
Murphy added, “I would like to see the league prohibit pushing or aiding the runner [QB] on this play. There used to be a rule prohibiting this, but it is no longer enforced, likely because officials believed it was too difficult to monitor. This play is damaging to the game, and we should reinstate the prohibition on pushing the runner, which would revive the traditional QB sneak that served Bart Starr and the Packers well in the Ice Bowl.”
Murphy reflected on the NFC Championship Game, where the Washington Commanders repeatedly jumped offside in an attempt to counter the anticipated tush push. This prompted referees to warn them that a score would be awarded if they continued their infractions. Ultimately, the Eagles succeeded in their tush push attempt and advanced comfortably to the Super Bowl.
Only time will reveal if the tush push will significantly impact Super Bowl LIX. However, if it does, it may lead to a fresh wave of critics calling for its ban during the upcoming offseason.
