NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reportedly taken a stance against the Philadelphia Eagles' innovative "tush push" play, which has been instrumental in their back-to-back Super Bowl runs. This controversial tactic involves the quarterback taking position behind the center and then being propelled into the end zone with the help of two teammates during short-yardage situations.
The Athletic reports that Goodell has observed various coaches across the league struggling to effectively counter this play. His intervention aims to address concerns about potential unfair advantages and to ensure an even playing field for all teams.
Commissioner's Limited Power
Despite his influential role, Goodell does not possess the power to unilaterally implement such a ban. It would require a majority vote from the competition committee, followed by approval from the team owners, for any rule change to take effect.
The competition committee, which lacks representation from the Eagles, is composed of eight members. Notably, three members hail from NFC East teams: Stephen Jones, Executive Vice President of the Dallas Cowboys; John Mara, owner of the New York Giants; and Ron Rivera, head coach of the Washington Commanders.
An internal league source disclosed to The Athletic's NFL reporter Dianna Russini that Goodell, who is not a member of the committee, has expressed a clear viewpoint on the matter due to the challenges teams face when up against the Eagles. Russini writes, "Though it will all come down to the voting, the most important opinion about the play may come from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. I was told by a league source that Goodell wants to see this play removed from the game permanently."
While other teams have attempted to replicate the "tush push," none have matched the Eagles' mastery or success rate with the play. Since the start of the 2022 season, the Eagles have executed it with a staggering 93.5 percent success rate in short-yardage scenarios as of October 18, according to The Athletic.
Eagles' center Jason Kelce spoke to NBC in October about the physical toll of the "tush push." He described the play as grueling, highlighting the pressure and weight borne by the players involved. "All the weight and everything lying up on top of you, and you've got to wait for everybody else to get up before you can get up," Kelce said. "It’s a grueling play, for sure. And, you know, if you do it right, you’re at the bottom. If you’re not at the bottom, it usually didn’t go well."
Despite these challenges, Kelce and his teammates are proponents of the play, arguing that it should not be banned. In their view, the "tush push" is merely an effective variation of the classic quarterback sneak play.
Debate Over Play's Fairness
The debate around the "tush push" doesn't only revolve around its efficacy but also its perceived invincibility. While injuries resulting from the play are rare, Goodell's consideration of a ban seems to stem from its seemingly unbeatable nature. History shows that in contact sports, dominant strategies can be curtailed through rule changes. A case in point is the St. George Dragons' rugby league team, whose 11-year championship reign ended following the introduction of tackle restrictions.
The Eagles, however, are prepared to argue that their success with the "tush push" is not due to an inherent unfairness but rather the result of superior coaching and player execution. They contend that it should be up to the coaching acumen of opposing teams to find ways to neutralize the play, rather than relying on a mandate from Goodell to eliminate it.
As the discussion unfolds, the NFL community awaits the decision of the competition committee and the team owners. Will they uphold the integrity of the sport by allowing strategic ingenuity to flourish, or will they side with leveling the competitive landscape by removing the "tush push" from the playbook? The outcome of this debate could have lasting implications for the tactical evolution of the game.