NFL’s Integrity Takes Hit After Tush Push Debacle

“Which one is it for you?” someone chimed. 

“I don’t know,” Jones stated. “I flip-flop.”

This seems to be the underlying basis upon which the rule was proposed to begin with. Despite every team in the NFL competing under the same rules and regulations, no one has been able to master the short-yardage play quite like the Eagles. According to CBS, Philadelphia achieved either a first down or touchdown via the QB sneak on 39 of their 48 attempts this season. Of the nine failures, they converted the next play (in the same fashion) eight times, and kicked a field goal once. 

Teams like the Bills and Ravens (with Mark Andrews under center) found success with their own variations of the “Tush Push,” but not to the extent that Jalen Hurts and company have consistently lurched past the sticks.

The Opposition’s Push

The Green Bay Packers were the team to bring forward a proposal that would disallow immediate pushing of a player receiving a snap. Some vague language surely aimed at the league rather than one team. That blatant attack would not have succeeded, with a straw poll split 16-16 among owners back in March. 

Following those results was a revised bill banning all pushing and pulling of a ball carrier, a rule that would have affected every team in the NFL. It was a proposal that many organizations likely viewed as unfavorable. But if it meant the Eagles could no longer run their sneak, the sacrifice was worth it.

Green Bay’s suggestion was ushered in after Team President Mark Murphy complained about the play during a Q&A on the team’s website.

“I am not a fan of this play,” whined Murphy. “There is no skill involved and it is almost an automatic first down on plays of a yard or less… I would like to see the league prohibit pushing or aiding the runner (QB) on this play.”

Please note the specific wording “on this play.” The original proposal was essentially explicitly written to stop one team from using a mechanism available to everyone. Most organizations have tried in both practice and games, but find themselves incapable of replicating the play also referred to as the “Brotherly Shove.”

Eagles Have Adapted Where Others Have Not

It is no coincidence that the Eagles are one of the few teams capable of executing the QB sneak several times per game. They have put more emphasis on the offensive line than any other franchise over the last decade. Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland is perhaps the most impactful positional coach in the NFL. Yet, most recently, 22 votes were cast in an attempt to knock the legs out from underneath the reigning Super Bowl champions.

In the days leading up to the league meetings, Philadelphia players downplayed the importance of the Tush Push. AJ Brown chuckled as he reminded everyone that it was only one yard. Jordan Mailata asserted that the Eagles would find a way to do it without pushing if needed.

Despite these claims, it is worth mentioning that the play is largely valuable to the team. It essentially begins every offensive sequence with eight yards to go, and nearly eliminates the idea of punting on fourth and short. The Birds can say they will be fine (and they probably would be fine), but an extra down and a trusted short-yardage safety blanket certainly helps.

NFL’s Integrity Takes a Hit

In a way, it could make sense that a team like the Packers would oppose the Brotherly Shove. The Eagles beat them twice last season, including a season-ending 22-10 defeat in the playoffs. After another 22-10 loss, this time while voting on their proposed rule change, reports confirmed what many had already come to believe. 

In the evening following the conclusion of meetings, Mike Florio claimed the league office approached Green Bay about a proposal. In fact, despite Murphy’s laughable cries, the Packers organization did not feel strongly one way or the other regarding the Tush Push. Nonetheless, it appears that the rumors from over a year ago involving NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his dislike for the play are true.

Goodell denied having an opinion following the vote. But what else could he say? The cat is out of the bag that the league has a say in team proposals after the Lions were forced to challenge playoff seeding, a proposal that has little support. That idea falls way short of the dishonor involving the punishment of a specific team for mastering a play.

Frankly, it is a disgrace to one of the top sporting leagues on the planet. Sure, some international soccer organizations are notorious for corruption and mishandling of executive decisions. But for a company deeply intertwined with its fanbase, this is a black mark that is impossible to morally defend. It must be addressed before Goodell inevitably receives a contract extension from the owners.

Philadelphia will get their retirement tour with the Brotherly Shove this season, and it will once again give their offense a leg up on every drive. The play will inescapably be banned next offseason, as more and more owners grow envious of the magisterial phenomena. What looms larger than a QB sneak is the omnipresent dictator sitting behind the principal’s desk. Always watching, always pulling strings, and threatening the integrity of the game. The jig is up.