Sorry haters. Try again. This week — the NFL ruled to allow the Tush Push as enough NFL owners did not vote to make the play illegal for the 2025–2026 NFL season. While it is difficult to imagine that fifty years from now — this team will be remembered for a glorified quarterback sneak — it’s far more likely that they will be remembered for a once-in-a-lifetime running back, a lockdown defense with two amazing rookies defensive backs, two devastating wide receivers, and youthful/animated coach, and the greatest quarterback in team history.
Vic Fangio wanted to keep the gameplan simple for the Eagles’ rookies. The result is the first player in NFL history to return an interception in the Super Bowl on his birthday in Cooper DeJean and the first NFL team to make it to that Super Bowl with two rookie starting defensive backs. Their defensive performance contributed to the highest score of an NFC Championship Game in history.
But the ruling that keeps the tush-push legal isn’t just about this play. It’s about the competition’s futile attempt to limit Philadelphia’s present-dominance. It’s tacit approval that the NFL has little ability to legally maneuver against this defense — and no answer to the Eagles offense.
This doesn’t even begin to accomplish that goal.
But what this decision from the NFL does do — is send a message. Don’t dispute the Eagles. Beat them. Find a way to stop all of their weapons on offense. Try to throw against them on defense. Try to outsmart one of the most animated young coaches in the NFL. Try to out-maneuver one of it’s greatest defensive coordinators.
You may want to keep sinking down to appeals for a rule change. Good luck with anything else.
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