28 September 2023 , 11:49
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Recently retired NFL defensive back JJ Watt has defended the Philadelphia Eagles for using the 'tush push' as the league faces fresh calls to amend its rules to counter the controversial play.
The strategy sees the Eagles position two of their burliest defensive players behind quarterback Jalen Hurts in short-yardage situations. Then, after taking the snap from under centre, the pair physically shove him forward.
It is a somewhat unstoppable take on a traditional quarterback sneak, which Philadelphia is finding unparalleled success utilising. Hurts ran for a one-yard touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after deploying the play during the third quarter on Monday night.
The week before, against the Minnesota Vikings, another two touchdowns came from the formation. While it is something that the Eagles have deployed dating back to last season and their run to the Super Bowl, its prevalence throughout the first weeks of the new season is leading to renewed criticism of the play.
However, Watt is bucking that trend. The three-time NFL defensive player of the year, who has become a CBS studio analyst since retiring at the end of last season, believes its success is all down to the players performing it.
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"Lots of talk about the 'tush push' (ridiculous name, by the way)," he posted on social media. "Unpopular opinion: If they weren’t allowed to push from behind, the Eagles would still be just as successful at [quarterback] sneaks.
"Yes, it helps, but the push isn’t the reason it’s successful. The OLine [offensive line] and Jalen are."
Hurts sneaked the ball over for a touchdown using the 'tush push' during Monday's win over the Bucs (Getty Images)Speaking of Jalen, Hurts responded to the calls for a ban during a press conference on Wednesday. "I have no thoughts on it," the Eagles quarterback replied.
"We're the only people that are doing it as well as we are. There was a guy who wanted me hurt for it, too."
He did not expand on the latter claim. However, that same day, former Bucs quarterback Chris Simms suggested defensive coaches should be telling their players to "go headhunting on the quarterback" to stop the play.
Hurts' response also chimes with what Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni said last week. “Not everyone has Jason Kelce, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens. Not everybody has Jordan Mailata. Not everybody has Lane Johnson on the other side. Not everybody has that type of quarterback,” is how he put it.
“We noticed that last year when people were making maybe some big deals about it. There are a lot that are unsuccessful. ... But there is clearly a talent to it that our guys have, because it’s not as — maybe it’s automatic right now for the Philadelphia Eagles — but it’s not automatic around the NFL."
“I get that some people are complaining about it, but stop it," Sirianni stresses. "Stop the play. It’s not as automatic as people think, as we’re seeing across the NFL.”