The Packers, who suffered a 22-10 defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round, have proposed a ban on the controversial “tush push” play. This proposal was reported by the Athletic’s Diana Russini more than a month after their playoff exit, suggesting lingering frustration within the Green Bay organization.
Mark Murphy, the president and CEO of the Packers, has been vocal about his disapproval of the “tush push.” In a postseason column, he articulated his belief that the play lacks skill and is almost guaranteed to convert on short-yardage situations.
“There is no skill involved,” Murphy stated. “It is almost an automatic first down on plays of a yard or less.”
During the fourth quarter of that playoff game, Jalen Hurts successfully executed a fourth-and-1 conversion using the “tush push.”
Murphy also recalled a moment from the NFC Championship Game when the Commanders jumped offsides multiple times in an effort to thwart the Eagles’ use of the play. “The series of plays with the Commanders jumping offsides was ridiculous,” he commented.
In that game, the Commanders were penalized for jumping offside four times, attempting to stop the Eagles from executing their signature move. They were even warned by the referee, nearly allowing Philadelphia to score without a challenge.
While the Packers’ proposal does not explicitly target the Eagles, it would significantly affect their gameplay. The “tush push,” also referred to as the “Brotherly Shove,” has been employed effectively by the Eagles since 2022, with a staggering success rate of over 90% during that season, 88.1% in 2023, and 82.4% in 2024.
This play was instrumental in the Eagles scoring their first touchdown during their 40-22 Super Bowl victory against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The effectiveness of the “tush push” lies in the offense’s ability to dictate the snap timing, catching the defense off-guard. In that fleeting moment, the offensive line can surge forward, enabling players behind the ball-carrier—typically the quarterback—to assist in pushing the runner past the critical yard marker.
Complaints about the “tush push” are not confined to the Packers. The Buffalo Bills, led by their powerful quarterback Josh Allen, have also utilized this tactic. However, during a pivotal moment in the AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs on January 26, Allen was halted on a fourth-down attempt, leading to a change of possession that allowed the Chiefs to score a game-winning touchdown.
Bills coach Sean McDermott raised concerns about player safety at the NFL Scouting Combine, emphasizing the need to examine injury data related to the play. “The techniques used with this play could be contrary to player health and safety,” he remarked.
The Eagles have excelled with the “tush push” largely due to their personnel, such as veteran center Jason Kelce and quarterback Jalen Hurts, known for his impressive strength. However, with Kelce’s retirement and Cam Jurgens dealing with injuries, their success rate has decreased in 2024, illustrating the play’s dependence on player capability and resilience.
As the NFL prepares for its annual meeting at the end of March, owners will vote on potential rule changes that could reshape the future of plays like the “tush push.”
