Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu has seen enough of the “Tush Push.” He called for a ban on the Philadelphia Eagles’ signature quarterback sneak on Monday morning.
“It’s kind of like a cheapo play,” Luvu said on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.” “That’s pretty much a scrum in rugby. That’s how I kind of look at it. And we’ve got to have a scrum, too, on the other side.”
The play became a subject of debate this offseason as NFL officials considered a rule change that would prohibit the strategy.
The change was proposed by the Green Bay Packers and would not let offensive players shove each other forward. Current rules do not allow players to pull their teammates forward. Critics reasoned that the same logic should apply to pushing a player forward.
NFL owners didn’t vote on the change at earlier meetings this offseason. League insiders expect a vote to arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday at the next NFL meetings in Minnesota.
“I think they should ban it,” Luvu said, noting that the offense has an inherent advantage by deciding when the ball is snapped.
Luvu and the Commanders played the Eagles three times last season, including in the NFC championship.
During a late drive, Philadelphia’s offense was set up at Washington’s goal line. The sneak seemed inevitable.
So, Luvu tried to time out the Eagles’ snap count and dove over the line of scrimmage. He mistimed it and was penalized for encroachment.
Then he did it again.
The referees eventually warned that they could award the Eagles a free touchdown if the infractions continued.
Luvu stayed on his side of the line of scrimmage as the Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts punched in another touchdown, with his teammates shoving him forward.
The Eagles ultimately went on to win the game 55-23 and lifted the Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl champions two weeks later.
The Commanders’ rematch against the Eagles is slated for a national TV audience on Dec. 20.