Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni expressed pride in the controversial “tush push” play, stating that calls to ban it are “a little insulting.” During a media session at the 2025 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sirianni addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the Eagles’ signature move. He emphasized that while the team has mastered the play, achieving that level of proficiency has required significant effort and dedication.
“I almost feel a little insulted because we work so hard at that play,” Sirianni remarked. “The amount of research and coaching that goes into it, along with the fundamentals, is extensive. There are countless plays out there, but it ultimately comes down to how you teach the fundamentals and how the players execute them.” He added, “It’s a bit unfair to suggest that our success makes it automatic. We put in a lot of hard work.”
The “tush push” has become a key strategy for the Eagles, particularly in red zone situations, with quarterback Jalen Hurts scoring the first touchdown of Super Bowl LIX using this technique. However, some in the league have raised concerns about the play. Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst announced that his team has submitted a proposal to the NFL Competition Committee to ban the play, marking the first formal complaint regarding it.
While other teams have attempted to replicate the “tush push,” none have achieved the same level of success as the Eagles. Sirianni believes that the team’s hard work should not be penalized. “There’s so much effort that goes into it. The fact that it’s a successful play for us and some want to take that away feels a bit unjust,” he stated.
