NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent noted Thursday that the NFL Competition Committee did not discuss the possibility of banning the Philadelphia Eagles' "Tush Push" or "Brotherly Shove" play during a meeting at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week.
Speaking on PFT Live (h/t ProFootballTalk's Michael David Smith), Vincent gave his thoughts on the controversial play, saying: "Don't punish a team that strategically does it well."
Throughout the 2023 season, there was speculation that the league could look to eliminate the Tush Push from the game, but that doesn't appear likely to happen, as Vincent said NFL Competition Committee members are on the same page in feeling there is no reason to ban it.
Over the past two seasons, the Eagles' Tush Push has been nearly unstoppable, as quarterback Jalen Hurts has consistently grinded out the yardage needed to pick up first downs with help from his offensive line and a skill-position player pushing him from behind.
The pusher tends to vary, but running back Kenneth Gainwell and tight end Dallas Goedert are among those who are used in the role most often.
Per Jacob Camenker of Sporting News, the Eagles converted 29 of their 32 regular-season quarterback sneak attempts into first downs or touchdowns in 2022 for a success rate of 90.6 percent.
They were even better in 2023, going 37-of-40 for a success rate of 92.5 percent.
With the Tush Push as a key part of their arsenal, the Eagles went all the way to the Super Bowl at the conclusion of the 2022 season, falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in a 38-35 thriller.
In 2023, the Eagles started 10-1, but despite the success of the Tush Push, they lost five of their final six regular-season games and fell 32-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
Whispers of the league wanting to get rid of the Tush Push began in December when Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that commissioner Roger Goodell was hoping to make it happen.
However, Goodell later refuted the report, per Smith, saying: "I haven't taken a position on that one. Last year the committee had a lot of different views on that, the membership did. I want to hear that again this year. I want to hear how people feel about it."
Vincent, who was an Eagles defensive back from 1996 through 2003, left the door open for the possibility of a change being made regarding the Tush Push.
Although he doesn't seem to believe that banning the play is likely, Vincent noted that plans are in place to discuss the Tush Push at the league meeting "just to ensure that any team that wants to be heard about the play has an opportunity to speak."
