The Philadelphia Eagles’ offense hasn’t quite looked like the juggernaut we’ve come to expect, and while much of the spotlight has been on their broader struggles, there’s a more specific concern flying under the radar - the Tush Push just isn’t hitting like it used to.
This was the play that once had defensive coordinators losing sleep and rival coaches calling for rule changes. It was automatic.
A cheat code. But recently, it’s looked more human than superhuman.
The most glaring example came against the Bears, where Jalen Hurts - usually the engine of this short-yardage machine - got stuffed and then lost the ball after a perfectly timed Peanut Punch from Nahshon Wright. That’s not just a failed conversion - that’s a momentum swing.
Head coach Nick Sirianni addressed the play’s recent hiccups ahead of Week 14, and while he didn’t sound the alarm, he made it clear the Eagles are working on keeping defenses honest.
“Just like how we do with anything,” Sirianni said. “They adjust, you adjust. You try to make compliments off of it, as many as you can, to keep them honest.”
That’s the chess match. The Tush Push isn’t just about brute force - it’s about timing, leverage, and yes, unpredictability.
Sirianni emphasized that while the play is unique, the approach to evolving it is grounded in fundamentals. The Eagles are treating it like any other core concept in their playbook: teach the base, build the counters, and adapt to what defenses are throwing at you.
But let’s be real - the Tush Push isn’t struggling in a vacuum. Philly’s ground game as a whole hasn’t been the same. Injuries along the offensive line have disrupted continuity, playcalling has lacked rhythm, and the Hurts-Saquon Barkley pairing hasn’t delivered the kind of consistent production that was expected coming into the season.
Still, this isn’t a case of the Tush Push being broken - it’s more about how and when it’s being used. When the Eagles mix in counters or even sneak in a quick pass as defenses sell out to stop the push, the play still works. It’s just not the automatic win it once was, especially when execution falters.
At the end of the day, this is less about one play and more about identity. The Eagles have built their offense around physicality and control.
When they’re dictating terms - whether it’s with the Tush Push or a well-timed zone read - they look like contenders. When they’re reacting, it shows.
So yes, the Tush Push has lost a bit of its invincibility. But it’s not dead. It’s just evolving - and how quickly the Eagles can evolve with it might just define the rest of their season.