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Philadelphia Eagles v Los Angeles Rams Ric Tapia/GettyImages

Ex-Eagles HC slams Tush Push for eliminating one key weapon before Rams game

Originally posted on Inside the Iggles | By Gourab Saha | Last updated Sep 20, 2025 4:00 PM ET

The NFL has its own version of a magic trick. It’s a play that guarantees a yard, moves the chains, and drives opponents absolutely crazy. For the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s their ace in the hole, their get-out-of-jail-free card. But every great trick has its critics, and a Hall of Fame voice just pointed out a hidden cost.

Eagles legend and former head coach Dick Vermeil joined the 94 WIP Morning Show. He broke down the team’s upcoming clash with the Los Angeles Rams. And the conversation, inevitably, turned to the Tush Push. Now, Vermeil isn’t calling for its ban. "I wouldn't vote against it. I said all along, I think I said anyway, that I'm really not a big fan of the play," he claimed. But he delivered a sharp critique that cuts to the heart of offensive creativity.

Vermeil’s argument is simple yet brilliant. The Tush Push’s greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. Its predictable nature eliminates the threat of a surprise play. He argued that football loses a layer of strategic depth every time the Eagles line up in that familiar formation. The potential for a game-changing trick play vanishes.

“One of the disadvantages of the tush push that no one really mentions is that it eliminates the ability for a surprise third-and-inches play or fourth-and-inches play,” Vermeil stated. He drew from his own storied career to illustrate his point.

Vermeil added, "I can't tell you how many games over my career that third-and-inches play was a fake run and a big pass downfield, or a fourth-and-inches play that fake run, big pass downfield that won the game for us.” Now, this isn’t just nostalgia. It’s a legitimate strategic observation.

Nick Sirianni defended it. Even Travis Kelce did. But the Eagles' near-automatic success rate of 96.6% on fourth-and-1 comes with a hidden tax. It surrenders the element of misdirection. Defenses no longer have to respect the pass in those critical short-yardage moments. They can sell out completely to stop the push, knowing a throw is almost certainly not coming.

Tush Push's Rams Game Implications

This strategic simplification could be pivotal against the Rams. Sean McVay’s team is 2-0 and presents a major challenge. Vermeil’s insight suggests the Eagles' offense might be more one-dimensional than it appears. Without the threat of a surprise, the Rams’ defense can play a more focused game. Besides, the Eagles' offensive numbers are down compared to their explosive 2024 season.

This revelation about the Tush Push might be a key reason why. Besides, Vermeil’s comments add fuel to an already raging fire.

The NFL’s recent admission that officials missed a false start on a crucial Tush Push against the Chiefs has put the play under a microscope. The league’s VP of officiating training and development, Ramon George, has instructed referees to “officiate it tight.” Every future attempt will be scrutinized for the slightest movement. Hence, this seemingly indestructible play is creating a perfect storm for Philadelphia.

Their signature play is now simultaneously making them predictable and painting a target on their backs with officials. A single penalty on a critical fourth-down attempt could swing a game. The margin for error is now a tightrope.

So as the Eagles host the Rams, they face a dilemma. Do they continue to lean on their most reliable play, knowing its downsides? Or do they reintroduce that element of surprise Vermeil misses so much? The answer might determine if they move to 3-0.

The Eagles can keep bulldozing, but the element of surprise is gone. As Vermeil put it, the tush push “eliminates the ability for a surprise.” If the chains stall early, Philly might need that dusty play-action dagger more than ever. Because when the flags fly and the yard disappears, brute force alone won’t beat chess.

This article first appeared on Inside the Iggles and was syndicated with permission.

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