Philadelphia Eagles fans may not want to hear this, but one NFL powerbroker thinks one of their go-to plays should be illegal.
A source told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants to see the “tush push” removed from the game next season.
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles have been nearly unstoppable when they have run the “tush push,” aka “The Brotherly Shove,” on fourth-and-1 plays.
The play, run by the Eagles primarily, typically consists of Hurts lining up behind All-Pro center Jason Kelce with two players behind him before snapping the ball and falling forward while the two aforementioned players essentially shove him past the mark for a first down or a touchdown if they run the play on the goal line.
Making matters potentially worse for the Eagles is that three members of the competition committee come from Philadelphia’s NFC East rivals, according to the report.
New York Giants owner John Mara, Dallas Cowboys COO Stephen Jones and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera are on the committee.
But Eagles fans can take solace that there is no guarantee Stephen Jones would vote against it because his father, Jerry Jones, said earlier in the season that he’s a fan of the play.
The Eagles success with the “tush push” appeared to frustrate the Bills during Philadelphia’s thrilling 37-34 win this past Sunday.
“tush push” attempt, @SportsRadioWIP/X
During the first quarter the Eagles ran the play and Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips jumped through the line early and hit right guard Cam Jurgens and ended up in the backfield.
Phillips was called for being offside on the play, but Eagles center Jason Kelce said in a radio interview on Wednesday that he should have been given a harsher penalty, calling it a “bulls–t play.”
“I thought it was bulls–t at the time,” Kelce said during an appearance on WIP in Philadelphia. “I really did. I said so to the official on the field. I said, ‘Listen I’ve been running that play a lot of years. I have seen people jump offsides.
“He made zero effort to stop after he jumped offsides.’ He purposely tried to hurt Cam Jurgens. I thought it should have been a personal foul and I think he should be fined for that play.”
Phillips was not fined for the play, which could prompt other teams to try it to slow down “The Brotherly Shove”, according to NBC Sports Mike Florio.