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Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X. Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
Some things — you just can’t get rid of. The Eagles may be changing some aspects of the offense for the new NFL Season beginning next month — but Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion confirmed this week that the The Eagles modern adaptation of a QB sneak that brings to mind the force of an eleven-man, pile-driving wrecking crew bulldozing a condemned building on a demolition site —developed with the help of Scottish Rugby Coach Richie Gray — is indeed returning this year.
After much speculation that with the difficulty refereeing the Tush Push — the play will once again be legal next season — further increasing the reality that it most likely won’t ever be banned but will need to be stopped by opposing defenses.
Last year — the NFL ruled to allow the Tush Push as enough NFL owners did not vote to make the play illegal for the 2025–2026 NFL season.
While it is difficult to imagine that fifty years from now — this team will be remembered for a glorified quarterback sneak — it’s far more likely that they will be remembered for a once-in-a-lifetime running back, a lockdown defense with two amazing rookies defensive backs, two devastating wide receivers, and youthful/animated coach, and the greatest quarterback in team history.
Vic Fangio wanted to keep the game plan simple for the Eagles’ rookies in 2025. The result was that Cooper DeJean, the first player in NFL history to return an interception in the Super Bowl on his birthday, and the first NFL team to reach that Super Bowl with two rookie starting defensive backs. Their defensive performance contributed to the highest-scoring NFC Championship Game in history.
But the ruling that keeps the tush-push legal isn’t just about this play. It’s about the competition’s futile attempt to limit Philadelphia’s present dominance on short yardage. It’s tacit approval that the NFL has little ability to legally maneuver against this defense, and no answer to the Eagles’ offense.
This doesn’t even begin to accomplish that goal.
But what this decision from the NFL does is send a message. Don’t dispute the Eagles. Beat them. Find a way to stop all of their weapons on offense.
Try to throw against them on defense. Try to outsmart one of the most animated young coaches in the NFL. Try to out-maneuver one of its greatest defensive coordinators.
It appears that opposing NFL Teams do not have any other alternative. Not only because the play is legal — but also because it’s now in the playbook. At least for one more year.
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