Sep 29, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks at his notes during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles have heard it all about the Tush Push.
Over the last few years, the Brotherly Shove has drawn ire from just about everyone. Players have complained about it, coaches have spoken out against it, and 22 NFL owners voted to ban the play outright back in May.
But the Eagles won't hear anything negative from the head coach of their Week 5 opponent. Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton discussed the play on Denver Sports 104.3's Orange and Blue Today show:
Sean Payton explains why he was against the Tush Push being outlawed: “When all of a sudden, health and safety was pulled into that which, which might be the safest play in football, my bulls*** nose kind of went up."
(Via @MaseDenver)
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"I was one that stood up in favor of it," Payton said. "The reason I stood up in favor of it is pretty simple."
Payton listed some possible arguments against the Tush Push, such as aesthetic reasons, competitive reasons and difficulty officiating the play.
If those were the arguments against the play, it seemed that the longtime NFL head coach wouldn't have had a problem with them. But the NFL's main argument against the Tush Push didn't sit right with Payton.
"I've been involved in those meetings for a long time, and when all of a sudden, health and safety was pulled into that, which might be the safest play in football, my bullshit nose kind of went up," Payton said.
In May, the NFL owners put the survival of the Tush Push up to a vote. Their official concerns with the play were player safety and pace of play. At the time, there wasn't any data to back up the claim that the play leads to higher rate of injury. Four months later, there still isn't any data that supports that claim.
"Look, it's a quarterback sneak," Payton said. "As long as the line of scrimmage is clean, it's a well-run quarterback sneak. And when you really evaluate it, it's more the technique of the sneak than the push."
Payton also commented that the concept of the Tush Push isn't exactly new. He harkened back to the 1967 NFL Championship Game, colloquially known as the "Ice Bowl," and pointed out that Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr crossed the goal line "with someone pushing a little bit behind him."
Broncos players are already being asked their thoughts on the play. More opinions will surely come throughout the week, but defensive lineman D.J. Jones had this to say, per Andrew Mason of Denver Sports 104.3:
Broncos DL D.J. Jones, on defending the "Tush Push" play: "If it arises, grab your nuts and try your best to stop it."
That's a great way to look at it.
Overall, the Tush Push will remain a topic of conversation. It fell just two votes short of being fully banned in May – and, for the record, the Denver Broncos' ownership group did vote to ban the play. The NFL still appears to have a negative outlook on the play. But Sean Payton won't be one of the voices railing against the Brotherly Shove.
"I was one that was in favor of leaving it alone, on Philly's side," Payton said.
