Commander Country

Commanders’ Jack Del Rio Would Like ‘Tush Push’ Play Run by Eagles Outlawed

Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio gave his honest thoughts on the "tush push" play that has been made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Tim Kelly

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Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio is torn. On one hand, he believes that the controversial "tush push" play made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles over the last two seasons shouldn't be legal. On the other hand, it is legal currently, and he has to prepare his defense for it to be run against them twice during the month of October. 

The veteran coach gave his nuanced thoughts on the "tush push" play Friday in his meeting with the media, acknowledging that the Eagles do execute it better than any team, but he doesn't think it should be a play that any offensive coordinator has at their disposal. 

“Well, it’s not being officiated as illegal, so we just have to prepare for it,” Del Rio said. 

“I would personally like to see it eliminated," Del Rio continued. "Not just because they run it better than anybody — although they do run it better than anybody — but I don’t think that’s a football play. I think that’s a nice rugby play, and not what we’re looking for in football. But until it’s outlawed, we’ll prepare for it and get ready to do our best to stop it.”

Jalen Hurts, Lane Johnson and the Philadelphia Eagles have mastered the "tush push" play.  / USA Today

Why have the Eagles been able to perfect the play? Because they have a quarterback with incredible lower body strength in Jalen Hurts, who gets to push behind an offensive line that includes All-Pros Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson. Truth be told, Philadelphia's offensive line is so dominant that there often doesn't need to be any further assistance from behind Hurts to push beyond the first-down marker. 

Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert reveled over the summer that opponents trash talk Philadelphia when it's clear they are about the run the controversial play. 

“Oh they hated it," Goedert said. "Every time. They’d call us p******. Call us 'soft.' Tell us ‘run a real play.’ And we’re like ‘Well don’t give us third-and-1 and fourth-and-1.'”

But as Del Rio noted, the plan remains legal, despite some consideration being given to banning it last offseason. Perhaps there will be enough votes this offseason to ban the play. In the meantime, Del Rio and opposing defenses will have to try to get creative as they attempt to slow down what feels like an unstoppable short-yardage play right now. 

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Tim Kelly
TIM KELLY

Tim Kelly is a contributor to SI's team sites. Additionally, Kelly covers the Philadelphia Phillies as the Editorial Director for PhilliesNation.com. Previously, Kelly has been a producer at SportsRadio 94 WIP and a content producer for Audacy Sports, with written content syndicated to WIP, WFAN, WEEI and some of the biggest sports radio stations in the country. Kelly also has previously written for SportsTalkPhilly.com and Section 215, FanSided's Philadelphia affiliate. Kelly is a 2018 graduate of Bloomsburg University, with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in political science. 

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