Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scores a touchdown on a sneak play against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Bill Streicher
The Tush Push lives on.
After an offseason of non-stop talk about whether the Tush Push would be banned, the play being legislated out of the sport seemed likely heading into the NFL Owners Meetings in Minneapolis this week. However, the proposal to axe the play failed. It fell short of the 24-vote threshold needed to pass, with nine other teams siding with the Eagles.
Many teams are left with egg on their face after advocating against the play, while the Eagles can rejoice. Here are On Pattison's winners and losers from the NFL's decision to keep the Tush Push.
Winners
Jeffrey Lurie
Lurie didn't pull any punches at the Owners Meetings yesterday. According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Lurie gave an impassioned speech in front of his peers — which lasted for over a half an hour — imploring them to vote to keep the play. Lurie went all out and got just enough people to side with him.
Since buying the Eagles in 1994, Lurie has been well-liked in Philly. The Eagles have been successful, making the playoffs 19 times, appearing in eight NFC Championship Games and, of course, winning two Super Bowls. However, this is up there with his greatest triumphs. He stood his ground on what he felt was an unjust move to ban a play that's available to every team in the league. Without Lurie strongly advocating against the ban, the Eagles might not have gotten enough votes.
Well, damn: Jeffrey Lurie didn't mince words in NSFW plea to save Tush Pushhttps://t.co/TR4H4p0Jz1
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts is one of the main reasons why the Tush Push is so effective. Squatting 600 pounds has created a strong lower body foundation for Hurts. Yes, he gets a boost from players behind him, but Hurts' ability to keep his legs moving during the play is key. The quarterback has accumulated 55 rushing touchdowns since joining the Eagles in 2020.
Last season, Hurts became the first quarterback in NFL history to record at least 10 rushing touchdowns in four straight seasons. With the Tush Push staying, Hurts will likely break Cam Newton's record for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history, which stands at 75. At this rate, that mark will be shattered in the coming years if Hurts continues to stay healthy.
Nick Sirianni
Nick Sirianni is the key architect behind the Tush Push. Even though he's not calling plays, the Eagles' decision-making on third-and-fourth-and-short will remain simple since the play didn't get banned. As long as the play is allowed, the Eagles will continue to use it as much as they can.
Eagles Fans
The Tush Push has been a rallying cry for Eagles fans. People love it locally, and the fact that others wanted the play gone is only going to ignite excitement among Eagles fans even more. It gives them a chance to rub it in every single time the Eagles line up for it next season. Lincoln Financial Field is going to go berserk during the first Tush Push of the season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 4.
Jason Kelce
Jason Kelce doesn't play for the Eagles anymore. He has no material gain for the Tush Push not being banned. But that didn't stop him from acting as a quasi-corporate lobbyist at the Owners Meetings to advocate for keeping the play. It's unknown if Kelce's advocacy truly had an affect, but as one of the key pieces that popularized the play, he'll be happy to see it's staying. Jason Kelce, tush push savior and happy man pic.twitter.com/l6aaL4S4wl NFL needed 24 votes today to ban the Tush Push, but got only 22. Here are the 10 teams that voted against the Tush Push ban, per sources:
Losers
Mark Murphy
Outgoing Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy was the face of this debacle. Although there's evidence that he took one for the league here, he's probably always going to be associated with wanting to ban the Tush Push. Certainly, Eagles fans will remember him that way.
The Eagles' 2025 Opponents
Interestingly, the Detroit Lions were the only team who will play the Eagles next season that voted to keep the play. The rest were in agreement to try and get rid of it, including all three of the Eagles' NFC East rivals. It's hard to see the Eagles lowering the usage of the play this upcoming season. Teams have yet to show they can stop it.
🏈Eagles
🏈Ravens
🏈Browns
🏈Lions
🏈Jaguars
🏈Dolphins
🏈Patriots
🏈Saints
🏈Jets
🏈Titans
Franki Luvu
Frankie Luvu infamously jumped offsides three times in the NFC Championship Game trying to stop the Tush Push. He failed and nearly allowed the Eagles to score a touchdown without even running a play.
“I think they should ban it.”
Earlier this week on Good Morning Football, Luvu said the play should be banned, comparing it to a rugby scrum. To Luvu's disappointment, he'll still have to deal with the Tush Push plenty next season.
-Commanders linebacker and Tush Push legend Frankie Luvu pic.twitter.com/abfL7CJPeV
Saquan Barkley
This might come as a surprise, but the Tush Push somewhat limits Barkley's touches, especially at the goal line. Even with Hurts stealing potential Barkley scores, he still rushed for 13 touchdowns last season. Just imagine how many Barkley could have if the Eagles gave him the ball every time at the one-yard line. Still, Barkley has been an advocate for the play remaining legal.
