The Tush Push has become one of the most recognizable as well as criticized parts of the modern NFL product. A modified version of the quarterback sneak, the play has been perfected in recent years by the Philadelphia Eagles under head coach Nick Sirianni. With a dual-threat quarterback like Jalen Hurts at the helm, it has made most third and short, and fourth and short conversions child’s play for the franchise.
However, with no real gravitas and uncertainty attached to the play, along with it looking like a convoluted mess, there has been a growing movement to get it banned. This offseason, the league even put it up for a vote, although it didn’t receive the necessary 24 votes. But after a penalty-laden drive to win their game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia might have to face that contention once again.
Fans Quickly Turning Against the Eagles’ Trump Card
Over the last two seasons, Philly has become a legitimate juggernaut thanks to the efficacy of the play. Regardless of the matchup, it offers the Eagles a virtual guarantee to pick up a first down in short situations.
However, in a rematch of Super Bowl 59, they once again tried to utilize the play to extend the clock and register a 20-17 victory. They were ultimately successful, but one instance came under the microscope.
After repeated replays on the broadcast, it seemed like Philadelphia had committed multiple penalties to get across the marker, with an offside center and a false start from the offensive line the biggest culprits.
However, no penalty was raised and it gave the Eagles the first down and the victory, with the Chiefs never getting the ball back. Immediately, it sparked outrage on X, with fans from across the league, not just in Kansas City, sharing their uproar over the play.
As one fan complained, “The Eagles commit about 5 penalties during a Tush Push, and the NFL just doesn’t call them. Center is offsides, guards false start. Ban the play.” Unfortunately, it might not be until next season that a change is made by the NFL.
The Eagles commit about 5 penalties during a Tush Push, and the NFL just doesn’t call them.
Center is offsides, guards false start.
Ban the play. pic.twitter.com/ffukdCEj7Q
— Chris Bryant (@HogfarmerChris) September 14, 2025
This summer, 22 of the 32 teams voted in favor of banning the play. However, that fell short of the requisite 24 mark. As a result, fans will have to endure the ace up Sirianni’s sleeve for one more season, at the very least.
Another fan made it clear that the owners were going to be swayed in one direction eventually. “This might be the last year of the Tush Push, NFL owners are about to do whatever it takes to ban it.”
This might be the last year of the Tush Push, NFL owners bout to do whatever it takes to ban it.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) September 14, 2025
One fan even called out the 10 teams that did not vote to ban it, saying, “Ban the tush push PERMANENTLY. These clown franchises that voted to keep it over the offseason should be ashamed of themselves.”
Ban the tush push PERMANENTLY
These clown franchises that voted to keep it over the offseason should be ashamed of themselves
— Billy Tinkle (@BillyTinkleNuts) September 14, 2025
The game against Kansas City, which marked Hurts’s 18th consecutive victory in a game that he started and finished, may have been the turning point for many folks. One fan even admitted that the afternoon at Arrowhead turned a corner for him.
“This might’ve been the game to push me over the edge in terms of banning the Tush Push, or at least, banning the formation. There were so many uncalled false start penalties today. Absolutely absurd.”
This might’ve been the game to push me over the edge in terms of banning the Tush Push, or at least, banning the formation
There were so many uncalled false start penalties today. Absolutely absurd https://t.co/bxmNnG2QnP
— JaguarGator9 (@JaguarGator9NFL) September 14, 2025
It wasn’t just the one play near the end of the game that sparked the outrage from fans. Most people believed that the move was constantly marked by uncalled penalties.
One fan drew another instance as an example, “It’s a false start. Every single time. If you won’t take the play away, at least officiate it appropriately. False start on both the LG and RG on this Eagles touchdown.”
It’s a false start. Every single time. If you won’t take the play away, at least officiate it appropriately. False start on both the LG and RG on this Eagles touchdown. pic.twitter.com/u3mEB93tXw
— Nathan Yamnitz (@nyamnitz) September 14, 2025
Even former NFL quarterback Kurt Benkert, who has been firmly against the Chiefs in recent years, had to admit, “I had the Eagles winning today, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is a penalty and still not real football.”
I had the Eagles winning today, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is a penalty and still not real football. pic.twitter.com/ZbdYYLZ5f6
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) September 14, 2025
Some fans went a step further and claimed, “Eagles false start every time on that tush push,” while the most obvious blame fell on the final play before the quarterback kneel that iced the game. “Multiple false starts on the tush push just going uncalled lmao.”
For now, the NFL fan base must make peace with the play. However, in this instance, the outrage might have been justified, particularly with replays clearly showing the fault at hand.
It might take until next offseason. But if the fans continue to be firmly against the play, the league might not have any choice but to ban it.
