Report: Roger Goodell wants to permanently remove Eagles ‘Tush Push’ because of ‘bad optics’

Yesterday in an article by Dianna Russini on The Athletic, apparently a source her that commissioner Roger Goodell wants to see the “Tush Push” or as we call it here in Philadelphia, “The Brotherly Shove” permanently removed from the NFL next season.

Upon further review (pun intended), I’m not really sure what Russini said really warrants a headline such as “Roger Goodell wants to ban the Tush Push”.

The Athletic: Roger Goodell wants to permanently ban the Tush Push

“It’s apparent this is going to be heavily debated among the competition committee made up of owners, general managers and coaches,” Russini wrote. “It’s important to note that there isn’t a single person from the Eagles organization on the competition committee. However, three of their divisional opponents are represented: New York Giants owner John Mara, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones and Washington head coach Ron Rivera.

“Though it will all come down to the voting, the most important opinion about the play may come from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. I was told by a league source that Goodell wants to see this play removed from the game permanently.”

Okay so there’s a couple sources here, a few others there but no real statement from Roger Goodell about banning the Tush Push or really, any “NFL reason” as to why he would want to have it removed in the first place.

That of course, is because there isn’t one.

Injuries aren’t happening like some speculated earlier in the season and there is literally nothing illegal about the play or formation.

Like I’ve been saying since the entire debate over the tush push started, the media and opposing teams and fanbases simply hate the play because they can’t run it on offense or stop it on defense.

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The Philadelphia Eagles have the best record in the NFL. They are 10-1 through the first 12 weeks of the 2023 season and it’s no secret that one of the driving forces to their success is the offense’s ability to convert short yardage situations on third and fourth downs.

The Eagles convert fourth downs to first downs at a league-best conversion rate of 76.5% while no other team has a percentage in the 70’s. They convert third or fourth downs to first downs or goal line plays to touchdowns while using that play 86.2% of the time.

The rest of the NFL is barely above a 70% success rate on the play. 

In summary, the Philadelphia Eagles can run the Tush Push to perfection because they have the personnel to do it successfully. It’s really not even that hard to figure out. Teams just need 2 of the following things on offense and they would be converting third and fourth downs just like the Eagles.

The Tush Push: 2 Keys to Success

• Quarterback who deadlifts 600+ pounds
• All-Pro offensive line

Oh! They don’t have a quarterback who deadlifts 600+ pounds, a hall of fame center and right tackle, or an overall elite offensive line? That’s why they are unable to run or stop the Tush Push?

Got it. Of course that’s the reason why. It’s the optics. The optics are bad!

In her article, Russini added, citing sources, that optics, not injuries, are leading the dialogue on the “Tush Push.” So where do the optics come from?

Honestly, if Roger Goodell came out and simply said I want to ban this play because the national media, coaches, and anyone who plays the Philadelphia Eagles won’t stop bitching about it constantly and it’s annoying as fuck for anyone who knows a thing or two about football, then I would agree with him.

The national media, teams, players, and fans are all creating these “bad optics” by constantly debating the play. The Tush Push has been the main NFL headline throughout the first 12 weeks of the NFL season and because of that now Roger Goodell and the league officials reportedly do not want to continue.

Now it all makes sense, right? Give me a fucking break already.

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Look, I’m sorry we’re considered annoying here in Philadelphia. I’m happy to reason with the media and NFL league offices. Let’s ban the Tush Push. I promise you, Philadelphia Eagles fans literally do not care.

If Roger Goodell wants to ban that play then we might as well just start banning other standard plays that are executed properly. How about no more forward passes? Hell, why do we have the shotgun formation? RPO’s? Yeah, we’ll ban them too.

Everything gets banned! Goodell should call up fellow deep state rat NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and urge him to ban Steph Curry from shooting threes. Might as well at this point, right?

Side Note: If you want to remove ‘bad optics’ from football then you might as well ban Taylor Swift from attending Kansas City Chiefs games too. That shit is annoying as well and ruins the TV broadcast.

The Philadelphia Eagles will host the San Francisco 49ers today at 4:25PM. Check out today’s full game preview here and as always, stay up to date on all things Birds right here on The Liberty Line.

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