Eagles waste no time breaking out the Tush Push in preseason opener, Jalen Hurts couldn’t help but smile on the sidelines

Well, that didn’t take long. In the first real chance they’ve had since the NFL tried (and failed) to outlaw it, the Eagles went right back to their bread-and-butter short-yardage play, the tush push, and punched it in for six on their opening drive of the preseason against the Bengals.

With Jalen Hurts and most of the starters watching from the sidelines, backup QB Tanner McKee got the honors. Fourth-and-goal from the one. McKee lined up in the familiar formation, got the shove from behind, and crossed the goal line with ease.

The crowd at Lincoln Financial Field saw it coming the second the offense broke the huddle, and the buzz built until the inevitable push over the pile tied the game at 7-7.

Eagles waste no time with opening drive tush push

@packers 👀

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) August 7, 2025

Sure, it’s just preseason but that felt like a statement. After all the noise over the offseason about the NFL banning the play with a proposal that came within two votes of passing, the Eagles wasted zero time in reminding the league that their signature play is still legal and wildly effective.

Just Push It, Baby >>

League owners had their chance to kill it back in May when the health and safety committees, along with the competition committee, all backed a ban. The Green Bay Packers even brought the proposal forward.

The 22-10 vote fell short of the three-quarters majority needed, meaning the rulebook stays the same and Philly keeps the most unstoppable weapon in football.

Jalen Hurts after Tanner McKee and the Eagles Tush Push:

McKee summed it up perfectly after the game, which ended in a 34-27 Eagles win, saying that “people have a hard time stopping it.”

No shit, brother. Judging by how quickly Nick Sirianni’s crew pulled it out in a meaningless preseason game, the rest of the league better brace for another season of being shoved around at the goal line.

More from Eagles Preseason Game 1 >>

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