Fans Call Out Sean McDermott for Using ‘Tush Push’ He Once Wanted Banned in Wild Card Win

Josh Allen's second rushing touchdown against the Jaguars in the wildcard round was a tush push score which his head coach wanted to be removed prior to the season kicked off.

Fans Call Out Sean McDermott for Using ‘Tush Push’ He Once Wanted Banned in Wild Card Win

Josh Allen executes a tush push touchdown (Image via IMAGO/X)

Sean McDermott and Josh Allen pulled off the polarizing ‘tush push’ to perfection in the AFC Wild Card victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Not only did the Bills acquire a first down but also scored a touchdown.

It may sound odd at first because several teams in the past have used it to score TDs, but not like the Bills. With the game on the line, Allen lined up under center on fourth and inches. His six-foot-five frame bagged the first down with ease. However, forward progress wasn’t stopped.

Allen gave a second effort and moved the pile across the goal line to score six points. The 2024 MVP deserves the credit for dragging his team over the line, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts from O’Cyrus Torrence. The Bills guard was the muscle behind the success of the tush push. He literally carried Allen over the goal line for an outrageous TD.

Matt Prater missed the extra point, leaving the Bills defend a slender three point lead with under a minute on the clock. The Jaguars failed to add to their tally, and the Bills won 27-24.

Sean McDermott takes heat for having Josh Allen run the tush push to score a touchdown

Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles were among the first to turn the tush push into a powerful weapon in their playbook. Hurts scored several TDs using this move en route to his maiden Super Bowl victory in 2024 season.

Fans Call Out Sean McDermott for Using ‘Tush Push’ He Once Wanted Banned in Wild Card Win
Josh Allen (Image via IMAGO)

While the Eagles reaped the benefits, other NFL teams viewed it as an unfair advantage. Moreover, they deemed the move dangerous, potentially causing long-term injuries to players. One of the voices that strongly condemned its usage was Sean McDermott. The Bills’ head coach even pushed to have the move banned from the game.

Even though there’s not significant data out there to this point, my biggest concern is the health and safety of the players. It’s added force, number one, and then the posture of the players.

McDermott told WB4 in March 2025

That being said, the Bills are the other team aside from the Eagles that has used the tush push to their benefit. The Jaguars defense was sitting ducks, helpless against the dominant move. Fans weren’t pleased with McDermott’s two-faced facade.

The move maybe frowned upon across the league, but until the NFL removes it from the game, McDermott has every right to call for its use.

My position [on banning the tush push] hasn’t really changed at all, even though there’s not significant data out there at this point, my biggest concern is the health and safety of the players. There’s other data out there that suggests that when you’re in a posture like we’re talking about that that could lead to serious injury and I think being responsible and proactive in that regard is the right way to go.

McDermott told the press post-game

Regardless, the Bills won and now are set to compete in the divisional playoff game. Allen finished with 28 completions from 35 attempts for 273 yards, one touchdown pass to tight end Dalton Kincaid. He further added two more scores on the ground from 11 carries with the ball.

Also Read: