Tush Push’s Final Bow?
The Tush Push has been a thorn in the side of NFL defenders and competition committees alike. It has been unstoppable, frustrating, andif you ask certain fanbasesdownright unfair. But could Super Bowl LIX mark the swan song for the controversial quarterback sneak variation? Even without an official rule change in place yet, murmurs around the league suggest we might see this play banned after another seasonbut not before one last dramatic performance on the grandest stage of them all.
The Play That Has Everyone Talking
For the past two seasons, the Philadelphia Eagles have turned the Tush Pushor as they affectionately call it, the “Brotherly Shove”from a simple QB sneak into an unstoppable short-yardage machine. With Jalen Hurts built like a power running back and an elite offensive line, it’s almost automatic. Despite defenders trying every possible way to counter itjumping the snap, stacking the box, or throwing their entire weight forwardthe Eagles’ version has been nearly flawless. If they face a 3rd-and-1 or 4th-and-inches, just pencil in a first down. And that’s precisely what has many questioning its future.
Why The NFL May Ban It
NFL rulemakers have been closely watching the play, and while it remains legal for now, there are several reasons why it could be on its way out:
With that in mind, it wouldn’t be shocking if the competition committee finally decides to outlaw it after the 2024 season.
A Hollywood Ending?
If Super Bowl LIX serves as the final showcase for the Tush Push, it would be poetic if the play helps decide the game’s biggest moments. Imagine a crucial 4th-and-1 inside two minutes. One last heave, one final pushthe play cements itself in NFL lore before it’s erased from the rulebook forever. That’s the dream scenario for supporters of the play. Detractors, on the other hand, would love nothing more than to see defenses finally figure out a way to blow it up and banish it to the history books.
Is This Really Goodbye?
Even if the NFL bans the Tush Push in its current form, coaches will find a way to evolve. Teams always adapt to rule changes (remember when the NFL altered kickoff rules, and special teams coordinators quickly devised creative new strategies?). If the play as we know it is outlawed, expect offensive minds to cook up a variation that fits within the league’s tweaks while still maximizing short-yardage efficiency. So, while Super Bowl LIX may mark the end of an era, don’t be surprised if traces of the Tush Push remainperhaps under a different name, with a different wrinkle, but still putting defenses in misery. Until then, let’s sit back and enjoy the show. Because like it or not, the play is still here. And it’s not going down without a fight.
