The tush push employed by the Philadelphia Eagles has become one of the most effective plays in NFL history, with no one able to stop or replicate it. In response, the Green Bay Packers have resorted to appealing to the NFL to ban the play. Although some within the league have raised concerns about its safety, actual injuries related to the play have been quite rare. Notably, the New York Giants incurred multiple injuries attempting the tush push unsuccessfully.
The Packers faced widespread ridicule for their attempt to prohibit the play, with many in the NFL community encouraging them to learn how to defend against it or to execute it themselves. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter voiced his opinions on the matter during a recent episode of Unsportsmanlike on ESPN Radio.
IT’S FOOTBALL! @AdamSchefter shares his thoughts on the Tush Push pic.twitter.com/Csf1dszQNK
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) February 25, 2025
“I think it’s kind of crazy. It’s like, ok, so then when Patrick Ricard, the Ravens fullback, are we going to ban fullback blast because he’s really strong and tough and that’s health and safety? It’s football! Everybody in the league is allowed to run the play,” Schefter proclaimed. “One team can do it, and nobody else can do it, right? By the way, the Commanders were the ones jumping over the line to bring attention to this initially. Ok, then don’t jump over the line like that… If Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes play together, they’re so fast, we’re risking hamstring injuries on defensive backs—should we ban the deep ball? No! It’s football!”
“I’m sure I’m missing some relevant injury data; I don’t want to downplay that, as health and safety are paramount. But every team in the league is allowed to run it. One team executes it incredibly well, and nobody seems to be able to stop it,” Schefter added.
While the tush push has its supporters, it has also faced criticism from a visual perspective. Even Jim Nantz has openly stated he isn’t a fan, arguing that the play feels too automatic, resembling more of a rugby scrum or maul than a traditional NFL play. Moreover, the NFL could significantly diminish the effectiveness of the tush push by reverting to the league’s pre-2006 rules, which allowed offensive teammates to push runners forward but prohibited pulling them. Nearly two decades later, the Eagles managed to leverage this rule to their advantage, a tactic every NFL team is entitled to pursue, but none have yet matched its success.
