The NFL is going to keep a close eye on the Philadelphia Eagles offensive linemen amid controversy surrounding their “Tush Push” play.
The league reportedly issued a memo to teams, and officials, to keep a closer eye on Eagles O-linemen, or any offensive players, who are lining up offside or moving prior to the snap while officiating the short-yardage rugby-scrum-style play the rest of the season.
The Eagles converted a first down or touchdown on five of their six “Brotherly Shove” plays in their 20-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Yet, according to FOX broadcaster Tom Brady, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid, the Eagles O-linemen were getting a head start by jumping the snap count.
“[They] might have had a couple [QB sneak plays] that they got off a little early on,” Reid said.
According to ESPN, the Eagles have converted the play about 97 percent of the time since 2022, when coach Nick Sirianni took over and began running it with quarterback Jalen Hurts.
What Did The NFL Say About False Starts on ‘Tush Push’ Plays?
The Washington Post was the first to report on the NFL’s crackdown of potential false starts while lining up for the Brotherly Shove play.
Anytime we have this situation we’re in short yardage, we know we want to make sure that we officiate these plays — the offensive team has to be perfect in every aspect,” NFL vice president of officiating training and development Ramon George said, according to the Washington Post. “We want to officiate it tight. We want to be black and white and be as tight as we can be when we get into this situation where teams are in the bunch position and we have to officiate them being onsides, movement early.”
According to the Post, and George who went through each Tush Push play, there were fouls on both teams.
“Prior to the snap, looks like we have movement by the right guard. We also have movement coming across from the defensive side,” George said. “This is a very hard play to officiate. I get it.”
What Have The Eagles Said About The Tush Push Controversy?
Jordan Mailata went on the record earlier this week and complained to WIP about criticisms of the play. But he wasn’t the only Eagles O-lineman getting frustrated by the heat put on the Eagles offense.
I’ve heard a million different takes on this thing, and it’s driving me nuts,” Eagles center Cam Jurgens said Wednesday, according to ESPN.com. “People saying I’m lining up offsides. I’m holding the ball. I can be on the ball. That doesn’t make any sense to me.”
The Eagles host the Los Angeles Rams in a playoff rematch from January at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday. According to Jurgens, even with the enhanced scrutiny on their signature short-yardage play, the Eagles are not changing much ahead of their Week 3 game.
“At the end of the day, we’re not trying to worry about what other teams or people are saying,” Jurgens said. “We’re trying to worry about what we’re doing in here. If the league wants to come down and say something and make an emphasis with the rules, we’re going to take that into account. But it’s the same thing going forward, playing Eagle football.”
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