Following a proposal to ban the infamous “tush push,” NFL owners have decided to table the decision for now. With criticism from former and current NFL players, the move has been debated for several years. The Philadelphia Eagles, the most dominant team in terms of the tush push—or the “Brotherly Shove,” as they call it—used the play multiple times en route to a 2025 Super Bowl victory.
To Ban, To Tweak, or To Keep?
As the most controversial move in the NFL reaches the forefront, what’s the best move? Are the Eagles simply better at executing it? Is it fair and within the rules? And how could you even tweak the play? Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel offered his thoughts during a recent episode of “The Facility.”
Change the rule on the Tush Push to this ⤵️
▪️Only able to do it on 4th down.
▪️Can’t use it inside the 2yd line. https://t.co/WLIg5QaVZ2 pic.twitter.com/qHXpFY6byk— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) April 1, 2025
If it were up to Daniel, the tush push would remain a legal play—with a few limitations.
“I’m for the tush push,” Daniel said. “But everything I’m hearing out of the league meetings, and every coach is saying: One, it’s a rugby scrum. OK, I get that, but it’s within the rules right now, so you’re able to do it. The other thing I’ve heard is that it’s about player health and safety.”
Daniel pushed back on that point, saying there’s no proof the play causes more injuries than others.
“There is zero data right now that substantiates that claim. I’ve talked to a high-ranking NFL doctor—there is no injury data. Zero. That is just something you’re putting your flagpole on and holding on for dear life.”
The former Chiefs backup added that banning the play just because it’s effective sets a weird precedent.
“How are you gonna ban a play for the future?” Daniel said. “Here’s my deal: I am for it. I think it should stay in the game. However, I would be happy if they ended up tweaking the language of the rule.”
For Daniel, that language change comes down to when the tush push can be used—not how.
“I don’t even care that you push. You want to see more touchdowns, you want to see more people go for it on fourth down—I get that,” Daniel said. “People want ratings. How do we give you ratings? You can only use it in the field of play on fourth down. You cannot use it on third-and-1. If you get to fourth-and-1, you can use it. The other thing I want: inside the two-yard line, you can’t use it—it’s too easy of a score.”
Daniel believes keeping the play but limiting its usage is the best path forward for the NFL.
Is There a Statistical Advantage to the Tush Push?
Since 2022, quarterbacks have started converting more often than running backs on third- or fourth-and-1 plays. A lot of that is thanks to the Eagles using the tush push more often.
Sterling Xie of PFSN broke down how successful teams were with the tush push last season:
- Philadelphia and Buffalo were tied for 12th in conversion rate (76.2%)
- The league average conversion rate on 3rd- or 4th-and-1 was 74.1%
- The Washington Commanders led the league with an 88.1% conversion rate on these plays
“There’s decent evidence that teams are catching on to the Eagles’ Tush Push success and making the play less automatic,” Xie wrote. “Including playoffs, Hurts’ conversion rate on 3rd- or 4th-and-1 was his lowest in any of his four seasons as the Eagles’ starting quarterback. After an incredible success rate in 2023, Hurts was below the league average for QB conversions on 3rd- or 4th-and-1 rushing plays.”
Even if the Eagles aren’t converting it as easily, they remain the play’s pioneers. And really, any team can execute it if they put in the work. So is it worth banning? Or is it just a smart play that other teams should copy?