Running back Saquon Barkley, known for losing several potential touchdowns due to his team’s reliance on the tush-push play, stands firmly in favor of keeping the tactic in the game. Despite being an opponent’s challenge, Barkley defended the strategy ahead of a league-wide vote on the matter, emphasizing its fairness and his team’s physical strengths.
Barkley Challenges Critics, Emphasizes Equality and Team Strength
On the Exciting Mics podcast alongside teammates Reed Blankenship and Cooper DeJean, Barkley described the opposition to the play as “soft.” He explained that the move is not exclusive to his team, noting,
“Everybody can do it. It’s not a play that we only can do. We happen to have one of the best and biggest O-lines, and Jalen Hurts can squat 600 pounds. That’s not our fault.”
His remarks highlight that the success of the play stems from his team’s physical abilities rather than any unfair advantage.
Widespread League Disagreement Despite Barkley’s Defense
Although Barkley expressed confidence in the validity of the tush-push, the league’s vote showed otherwise, with 22 of 32 teams (nearly 69%) voting to eliminate it. Barkley addressed this divide by referencing other successful quarterbacks, saying,
“Josh Allen is super big, they’re not successful with it,”
while noting the Buffalo Bills’ less effective variation. He also cited Lamar Jackson, calling him
“one of the best running quarterbacks of all-time,”
who likewise has not found success with the play, further arguing against claims that the technique is impossible for others to execute.
Support for Tush-Push Mainly Comes from Teams Facing the Eagles Less Often
Barkley pointed out a notable pattern in the voting, stating,
“And the teams that want to get rid of it are the teams that gotta see us two or three times a year.”
This observation reflects how the opposition largely comes from teams outside the Eagles’ frequent opponents. Only two NFC teams—the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints—voted in favor of keeping the play. Of the 17 games the Eagles are scheduled to play in 2024, Detroit is the only team that backed the continuation of the tush-push.
Concerns Over Player Safety Remain Unsubstantiated, Barkley Counters
The effort to ban the tush-push centers on potential safety risks, although no data currently supports those concerns. Barkley dismissed these arguments, stating plainly,
“Everybody can do it, there’s no health issue.”
This claim adds to the ongoing debate over whether the NFL should intervene based on hypothetical dangers without clear evidence.
The League’s Continued Review May Prolong the Debate
The league office plans to maintain its examination of the tush-push, seeking additional reasons to persuade more owners to outlaw the play. Currently, 68.75 percent voted for the ban, just shy of the three-fourths supermajority required. Barkley’s comments suggest that if the NFL required only a two-thirds majority to amend rules, the play might already be banned.