Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles edged Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, 20–17, on Sunday. The Eagles’ now-notorious “Tush Push” QB sneak made the difference, converting crucial downs and harassing Kansas City’s defense. The Eagles are now 2–0 while the Chiefs are 0–2, once again reigniting controversy over the contentious play.

Hall of Famer and NFL Today analyst Bill Cowher brought this up on the Dan Patrick Show, offering his long-standing criticism of this controversial play. “I’ve been against the play for two years and I’ve made my feelings quite known,” he said. “It’s not a football play. It’s a scrum, you know. And they had that in rugby, Dan. They eliminated the scrum because it wasn’t safe. But we keep it in the NFL. We’re going to have to wait for some kind of catastrophic injury to change it.” Cowher’s concerns are centered on both safety and legality. He pointed out how new technology uncovers players stepping out of their mark before the ball is snapped, leaving more chances for injury.

“How many times do we see it with…players leaving before the ball’s even snapped? It’s an injury waiting to happen. I don’t even think it’s a good-look play, pushing people down the field. When do you stop the push? And it makes it very hard for officials to understand at what point the play is over,” Cowher said. A perfect example came on Sunday, when Jalen Hurts was ushered across the goal line by teammates on a “Tush Push” touchdown. Replays indicated two linemen had subtly shifted before the snap, a possible false start that didn’t get a penalty, demonstrating both the safety danger and the problem officials have in policing the play uniformly.

The “Tush Push” was just two votes away from getting banned in the league’s last meeting, highlighting the ongoing divide between owners and officials. ”I’m not trying to get rid of the quarterback sneak — there’s a certain art to it,” Cowher said. He added that Jalen Hurts reads the defense, adjusting one gap wider if needed, similar to the precision required by QBs like Cordell Stewart and Ben Roethlisberger in practice. But the “Tush Push” alters that equation, with several players pushing from the rear, creating a V-formation similar to a flight of geese departing, both creating safety and strategic issues.

Cowher linked the play to vintage quarterback sneaks, remembering Bart Starr’s vintage one-yard touchdown dash in the 1967 NFL Championship, the “Ice Bowl.” Starr had trailed Hall of Fame guard Jerry Kramer into the end zone to score on a high-stakes play. One that required flawless timing and technique, not a shove in the back. Cowher stated, “Listen, you want to do the quarterback sneak, then do what Bart Starr did with Jerry Kramer. Run over your good offensive lineman on a frozen tundra. I’m not taking away the quarterback sneak. Love the quarterback sneak, but not the Tush Push.” 

The comparison highlights why veterans and analysts so perceive the “Tush Push” as subverting conventional strategy. In contrast with Starr’s precise enforcement, the contemporary version has several players shoving the quarterback, which causes safety and equity issues. Also called the “Brotherly Shove,” the “Tush Push” was a staple of the Eagles’ offense in 2022, Hurts’ initial full season as a starter. It is simple: the quarterback crept forward with teammates pushing him from behind to get crucial yards. The returns have been amazing through 2023 and 2024, where Philly has had an 83.7% and 82.9% QB sneak conversion rate.

Chiefs’ officiating issues amid Bill’s stance

Hurts carried one for a touchdown on a tush Push on Sunday, and the Eagles used the play seven times overall. Two of the offensive linemen even jumped prematurely in the replays, but no penalty was called. Fox rules analyst Dean Blandino was evidently frustrated, claiming, ”I am done with the Tush Push, guys. It’s a hard play to officiate.” 

 The Chiefs HC expressed his frustration, citing, ”If players are moving early, it must be called.” He also reaffirmed that they are waiting for official review. As he continued, ”People see things differently, so we’ll wait for the official review.” Tom Brady, who was observing the game, also commented on the officiating dilemma, indicating that the linemen had already shifted before Hurts had crossed the goal line. Critics have been arguing that the play gives an unfair advantage to the offense while putting the players at a higher risk for injury as they are ramming in close quarters.

However, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni spoke up in its defense, saying, ”It’s all about the guys up front, the timing of everything. It’s not easy to practice, but our guys do a great job of simulating it as much as we possibly can.” Despite the controversy, the HC emphasized the importance of reflecting on their mistakes and moving forward for their Week 3 matchup against the Giants.

The fact that the NFL hasn’t called the play consistently has jeopardized its future. Cowher’s comments are critical of league leadership for waiting until a serious injury has occurred before taking drastic action, confirming the uncomfortable standoff between strategy, tradition, and safety. Meanwhile, the Eagles will keep riding their short-yardage edge, compelling the Chiefs and other competitors to retool or endure repeated disappointment on the gridiron.