Mike Vrabel, after DeMeco Ryans, opposes Packers’ proposal to ban Eagles’ Tush-Push: “Lamar Jackson shouldn’t be able to run with football anymore?”

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel feels if NFL decided to ban Eagles from using 'Tush Push' because of how difficult it's to defend, then it will set a bad example.

Mike Vrabel, after DeMeco Ryans, opposes Packers’ proposal to ban Eagles’ Tush-Push: “Lamar Jackson shouldn’t be able to run with football anymore?”

Philadelphia Eagles Tush Push play (Image via IMAGO)

Mike Vrabel raised a valuable question when reporters asked his and the Boston franchise’s stance on the Philadelphia Eagles’ usage of the ‘Tush-Push.’ The newly appointed New England Patriots head coach argued that if the teams start banning plays that they can’t defend, it will set a bad example.

Vrabel was part of the contingent for the Patriots, along with general manager Eliot Wolf in Miami for the annual NFL owners’ meeting to discuss various plans of action. The hottest topic on their list was whether to allow the Eagles to use the quarterback sneak, more commonly termed ‘tush push,’ or ban it altogether.

YouTube video

Reporters asked Mike Vrabel to reveal his and the Patriots’ view on the ‘Tush Push.’ The former NFL defensive end understands that the Eagles are the masters of executing the ‘tush push’ really well. However, he didn’t present a negative view but asked an interesting question.

Vrabel told the reporters if the NFL keeps banning plays that are difficult to defend against, then it will negatively affect football.

There are a lot of plays that are hard to defend. I don’t think you can get rid of them every time it becomes tough to stop it. Like, Lamar Jackson shouldn’t be able to run with the football anymore? How about making that rule because it’s hard to defend?

Mike Vrabel said

Fair point. Lamar Jackson made a mockery out of NFL defenses in 2024 with his feet, despite being a quarterback. The Baltimore Ravens QB covered a league-best 6.6 yards per carry (better than Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry) and scored 4 rushing touchdowns.

As Vrabel pointed out, defenses struggle against a good dual-threat quarterback. So, if the league bans ‘Tush Push’ for being too difficult to defend against, next a team would ask for Jackson to stop running to limit his style of quarterback play.

Why do most NFL teams want the NFL to ban the Eagles from using ‘Tush Push’

Tush Push or quarterback sneak is exactly how it sounds. The quarterback stands close to the center in the offensive line, and the running back stands right behind him. After the center snaps the ball to the quarterback, he then leans forward with the running back pushing him from behind to sneak a quick first down or even a touchdown.

Mike Vrabel, after DeMeco Ryans, opposes Packers' proposal to ban Eagles' Tush-Push: "Lamar Jackson shouldn’t be able to run with football anymore?"
Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman (Image via IMAGO)

The Eagles’ head coach, Nick Sirianni, felt insulted by other NFL teams and analysts labeling the ‘tush push’ as an automatic play. In reality, it takes practice and strength to execute it perfectly.

I can’t tell you how many times we practice the snap; we practice the play—because it’s not a play that’s easy to practice, there are different ways we’ve figured out how to practice it.

Nick Sirianni said (H/T: Philly Sports Network)

Sirianni does have a point. One might think they boast a 100% success record of using the ‘tush push’ play, but the reality is slightly different. According to CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr, the Eagles converted 39 first downs using the ‘Tush Push’ play in 2024.

The Eagles were 39-of-48 (81.3%), converting the “tush push” into a first down or touchdown this season. Of the 9 times they failed, they followed with a 1st down/TD on the next play using a tush push 8 times.

Jeff Kerr tweeted

The Eagles can successfully convert the tush push play because they have someone like Jalen Hurts as their quarterback. Other teams have tried to use the move occasionally. Last year Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen nearly became a laughingstock following a botched tush push attempt.

Which NFL team wants ‘tush push’ banned from football?

The Green Bay Packers general manager, Brian Gutenkunst, is among the ringleaders in the NFL team’s pursuit of banning ‘tush push’ from football. At the owners’ meeting, he cited player injuries among the reasons for wanting a ban on the move.

I think certainly the medical professionals at the league have had concerns about putting players in position to get catastrophic injuries. I think this is something that needs to be discussed, and we need to be proactive rather than reactive on that.

Brian Gutenkunst said

Whether there are injury concerns or not, the NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Troy Vincent, confirmed that no players suffered injuries on the tush push during the 2024 season.

Related: Cam Newton vows to tone down on cussing publicly after repeated pleas from well-wishers