Jets ready to counter Eagles’ unstoppable ‘Tush Push,’ coach says

Jalen Hurts 2022 Eagles (cropped) – CC BY-SA

New York Jets coach Robert Saleh has said his team is ready to counter the Philadelphia Eagles’ “tush push” formation if the Eagles attempt it during Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium.

The tush push, or “brotherly shove,” is widely regarded in NFL circles as one of the most unstoppable plays when the Eagles use it. In this play, Jalen Hurts lines up under center Jason Kelce with two or three players behind him. When Hurts receives the snap, the offensive line surges forward, giving him a powerful push from behind for a quarterback sneak.

“If the quarterback carries the ball, we’ve got to give him 11 kisses,” Saleh said Wednesday.

Jets defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson said he had never seen anything like the Eagles’ tush push. Jefferson also recommended avoiding third-and-1s or fourth-and-1s to prevent the tush push play.

Saleh acknowledged the effectiveness of the Eagles’ tush push and that other teams also tried it. He pointed out the Eagles’ expertise in executing this technique and the extensive padding that gives the quarterback a well-protected formation.

However, some teams want the NFL to ban the “tush push” due to injury concerns. Notably, the New York Giants faced injuries to tight end Daniel Bellinger and center John Michael Schmitz in their unsuccessful attempt against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4. The league’s competition committee has previously reviewed this play style and may consider it again.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni has responded to the Jets preparing their defense strategy, saying, “They know it’s an important play to be able to defend. We know it’s an important play for us.”

Last season, Philadelphia had a successful sneak play 37 out of 41 times en route to the Super Bowl. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Eagles have succeeded 13 out of 16 times this season, including a touchdown at the end of the first half last Sunday, which gave them a 17-14 lead over the Los Angeles Rams.