The “tush push,” popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles, is once again a topic of discussion this NFL offseason following reports that the Green Bay Packers have proposed a ban on the play. Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has observed its use across the league, including by his brother, John, with the Baltimore Ravens. While Harbaugh stated he doesn’t have a “strong opinion” on the issue, he acknowledged that when he sees the tush push, he recognizes it as effective football, emphasizing the need to either master the play or find a way to counter it.
“It seems to work every time, and to me, it’s just football. You either get good at it or figure out how to stop it,” Harbaugh remarked while discussing his collaboration with Invivyd, a biotech firm focused on non-vaccine preventative measures for COVID-19. He mentioned that he would defer to others regarding the proposal and is curious to see how the vote unfolds.
Harbaugh’s comments came after the Eagles demonstrated a high success rate with the play. Other teams have attempted to replicate it, but none have matched the Eagles’ effectiveness. Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy expressed his disapproval, stating, “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.” He criticized the attempts by the Commanders to stop the play during the NFC Championship game as “ridiculous.”
The Packers are reportedly the team that submitted the proposal to the NFL’s competition committee, which will be voted on by league owners in March. Harbaugh noted that while discussions will continue in the offseason, the quarterback sneak will remain a part of football. He pointed out the nuances of the play, highlighting that while pushing the player under center is allowed, dragging the player with the ball is not.
The Eagles introduced the tush push in 2022, achieving a conversion rate of over 90%. However, that percentage has slightly decreased, with the Eagles converting at an 88.1% rate in 2023 and 82.4% during their Super Bowl-winning season in 2024. The play proved crucial for quarterback Jalen Hurts, who scored a touchdown using the tush push in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. The debate surrounding the play continues, and the outcome of the owners’ vote will determine its future.
This offseason, Harbaugh is also focused on promoting a comprehensive approach to combat COVID-19, which remains a significant health concern despite the pandemic’s status.
