When you’re at the top of the game, you’re bound to get into some trouble. The Philadelphia Eagles are finding this out the hard way after a spectacular Superbowl triumph. Is the ‘tush push’ an ingenious play? Or is it an unfair advantage? Richard Sherman, a man who knows a thing or two about dominating on the football field, has weighed in on the debate that’s dividing the NFL right now. As Jalen Hurts and the Eagles brace for potential rule changes, Sherman’s verdict adds another layer to the controversy surrounding this highly effective short-yardage tactic.

The Eagles have a mastery of the art of gaining ground with the ‘tush push’ and focusing on converting short-yardage positions to their advantage almost all the time. Is this a skill though? Or is it an exploitation of a loophole in the rules? Richard Sherman took to X and said, “Banning the “tush push? Not sure I agree with that. I really like the replay officials being able to pick up the flag on bad calls though.” Being a former Seattle Seahawks defensive cornerback from the legendary ‘Legion of Boom’ era, Sherman’s comments come as quite a surprise to many. 

Sherman added, “I’m never against the defense. I just know the league is and will rarely make a decision solely based on it benefiting the defense. It’s against what they stand for.” This is a conversation the NFL must have, especially now that they are putting everything under the microscope. The recent ban on the ‘nose wipe’ celebration by CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, among other new bans is the beginning of the changes the league has already started to make. So how long before the ‘tush push’ comes under heavy scrutiny? Well, it has been a long time coming already.

The idea behind it is very simple. Push the QB forward and give him forward momentum so he can score a first down. The Philadelphia Eagles, with Jalen Hurts’ lead, have turned this into a weapon that is nearly impossible to stop. The ‘tush push’ first came into play in the 2022 season. In addition, the Eagles along with the Buffalo Bills have run a combined 163 tush push plays over the last three seasons. Gargantuan right? It becomes more impressive considering it is 30 more than all the other teams combined!

If we talk about Hurts, he has run for 29 touchdowns in the last two seasons, and out of these, a whopping 22 (76%) have come from the 1-yard line with this move. Impressive figures, right? Well, the NFL remains unimpressed. This isn’t the first time the move has come under scrutiny. Back in 2023, there were reports of league commissioner Roger Goodell wanting to eliminate this move once and for all. At that time, however, the attempt was unsuccessful. But, will they be able to do it this time around?

NFL’s Stern Warning to the Eagles

While Seahawks legend Sherman is not all for banning the move, others are not taking it in stride. Critics argue that the strategy is unsafe, putting players at increased risk of injury because of the nature of the push. Others are claiming it’s going against the spirit of the game and needs to be scrapped. The NFL once prohibited pushing a ball carrier forward. You could only block other players for him as he made his play. As the tush push’s dominance isn’t going unnoticed, what’s the plan for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles?

With several teams reportedly pushing for a ban on the ‘tush push’, Hurts is probably prepping for pain. The Green Bay Packers officially proposed this ban this January after they lost to the Eagles in the wildcard. The proposal sought to penalize any offensive player “from pushing a teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately at the snap.” The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants have also vocally opposed this play. As tensions mount, the league has issued a stern warning to the Eagles. The NFL is now seriously considering a rule change, potentially trying to level the playing field.

Richard Sherman’s comments arrive when the probable oncoming ban has sparked outrage among a few players and fans. They view it as an attack on the champs. Arguments are being made that other teams should focus on improving their short-yardage plays rather than trying to point fingers. Are they right? Or are they picking favorites?

Ultimately, the fate of the ‘tush push’ hangs in the balance as we await the NFL’s verdict. Whether it’s a brilliant innovation or an unfair advantage, the debate is still ongoing. As the league tackles player safety concerns and the desire to ensure fair play, the final decision will have a significant impact on the future of short-yardage football. Will this strategy survive? Or will it soon become a relic of the past? Only time will tell.