The Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 when Philly was on their way to a Super Bowl victory. In that game, the Steelers, like most teams who face the Eagles, got to experience the "Tush Push." Pittsburgh was able to stop it once, but no one can stop it every time, and the Eagles were successful with it and the game, winning 27-13.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' TJ Watt sacks Eagles' Jalen Hurts.
The Tush Push is simply a short yardage play; a quarterback sneak where teammates push the signal-caller over the line of gain. The play is legal, and every team is allowed to use it, but no one does it as well as the Eagles. They have not only had time to innovate the play, but their quarterback, Jalen Hurts, has ridiculous leg strength that allows him to push himself over the line while simultaneously being shoved.
It should surprise no one that other teams are frustrated. The question is whether this is just sour grapes or if the play is really bad for football. Former Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher is one of many who claim it's not a football play and say it threatens player safety. Cowher said it is rugby and requires no skill. The argument isn't likely to die anytime soon since the Green Bay Packers have petitioned the league to make the play illegal.
Steelers team captain Cameron Heyward was asked about the specific play on his podcast Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. His co-host Hayden Walsh wanted to know how he would feel if the Steelers were the team that requested it to be banned.
"I would have been a little p***ed off that we had to be the team that did it," acknowledged Heyward of the Packers' request to end the Tush Push. "But, hey, if they get rid of it, so be it. It's had a lot of success, but there is a chance that guys get hurt on the play, so I'd love to be the team that stopped it."
Walsh mentioned how the Kansas City Chiefs tried to stop it with defensive tackle Chris Jones in the Super Bowl, saying he thought it looked like he went rogue. Jones lined up sideways and appeared to hurt his neck on the play. Heyward said he believed that was the play call, but felt it made no sense; Jones didn't have the momentum he needed coming from that angle.
Fox Sports
Eagles' Chris Jones (95) tried lining up sideways to stop the Tush Push.
Heyward said the way to stop it is to have multiple guys "submarine" while your inside players have to be ready to jump. Regardless, he added that he is most concerned about player safety. The league has been changing rules for several years to protect offensive players, and then they allow this.
"There's more of a chance of a guy getting hurt because you have a tight end literally running into the running back," explained Heyward, saying there is one reason the league isn't willing to change it. "Points. All the NFL cares about is points. If you end up gaining it, then you end up sustaining drives, which put more points on the board. That's all that matters in this league. They don't give anything about how the defense is played. But I also say you're now going to start teeing off on quarterbacks."
Heyward added that the league will do anything to ensure more and more points are scored. If something impedes scoring, they will allow things that create more points. He said it will increase quarterback injuries as the defense has no choice but to focus on them.
Not Steelers' First Time Complaining
Apparently, in 2024, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin pushed back against the "Brotherly Shove." During the 2024 competition committee meeting, the Tush Push came up, and Tomlin was the only one to challenge it.
The other teams praised the Eagles for their creativity and execution. There were supposedly more teams attempting it and complaining less last season. It was only Tomlin who expressed concern for his defense.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Mike Tomlin.
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