‘Ban it!’: Eagles’ Jason Kelce doesn’t care if NFL removes ‘tush push’

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce said he doesn’t care if the NFL bans the ”Brotherly Shove” play his team has gained notoriety for running during a recent episode of the “New Heights Podcast” he cohosts with his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

The play, also dubbed the “tush push,” has become a staple of the Eagles’ offense, and other NFL teams have tried to replicate it in 2023. But a league source told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants to see the play removed from the game permanently. The play was discussed by the NFL’s competition committee last offseason but was not brought up for a vote.

Jason Kelce told his brother he was “over” the discussion.

“Ban it! I really … at this point, I don’t care,” Kelce said.

The play would require a vote from the owners to be removed.

Kelce said the element of the play that is the main point of controversy is when a teammate pushes the quarterback. He said that the Eagles were good at quarterback sneaks before they began to push the quarterback.

“We were 36-of-38 running quarterback sneaks before the push,” Kelce said, pointing to a stat he obtained from the NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger.

He said that if the play is ultimately banned he believes the Eagles will find a way to pick up short yards within the rules.

What to make of Kelce’s comments

It’s not surprising to hear Jason Kelce’s tone or response to questions whether NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s comments will be the final “push” for the tush push. He’s a 13-year veteran nearing retirement who’s visibly weary of repetitive narratives. But he’s also part of an Eagles team whose cutting-edge philosophy helped berth the Brotherly Shove in the first place. As Kelce said, they were 36-of-38 on quarterback sneaks before they started using the tush push. They just found a way to do it better — legally.

Still, it’s become a major part of their success this season. Jalen Hurts scored yet another touchdown on a Brotherly Shove in Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles used it four times in four different spots on the field against the Dallas Cowboys earlier this season. Along the way, the Eagles saw opponents use it against them.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen converted a short fourth down against the Eagles on a similar look. Brock Purdy did the same on Sunday. Even backup Eagles quarterback Marcus Mariota converted on a fourth-and-1 against the 49ers while Hurts was sidelined while being evaluated for a concussion.

None of those plays seemed as proficient as the Brotherly Shoves that involve Hurts, who says he can still squat 600 pounds. So long as the Eagles have that much push from Hurts and an offensive line that has been consistently effective in the run game, they should be just fine. — Brooks Kubena, Eagles beat writer