The NFL's most controversial play will continue to be legal in 2026 despite calls for it to be banned from the league, with the Philadelphia Eagles running it more frequently than any other team
08:47 ET, 26 Mar 2026Updated 08:47 ET, 26 Mar 2026
Eagles star Cam Jurgens has admitted the Tush Push play leaves an impact on him
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Eagles star Cam Jurgens has admitted the Tush Push play leaves an impact on him
Philadelphia Eagles star Cam Jurgens has admitted that he was unable to walk the day after the team ran four consecutive 'Tush Push' plays this past season while seemingly admitting that it's not a play that the offensive line loves to run.
For the past four seasons, the Eagles have essentially created a new play which sees seven offensive linemen on the line of scrimmage and four in the backfield while attempting to push the defensive line backwards. The quarterback, Jalen Hurts, then takes the snap and leans forward to gain just a few short yards to move the sticks for a first down, or score a touchdown.
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The Eagles have been by far the most productive with this play, with the Seattle Seahawks becoming the second team to rely on the play in short-yardage situations - using a tight end as a wildcat quarterback to gain yards. No team has ran the play more successfully than the Eagles and Seahawks in the past two years - both being Super Bowl winners during that timespan.
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And while the Eagles have been able to hugely capitalize while using the play, it is one that is incredibly demanding of offensive lineman and defensive lineman.
A number of players have spoken out against the play, including Micah Parsons who stated 'it's not football'.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts prepares to tush push
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Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' offensive line have perfected the tush push(Image: Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Now, Jurgens has admitted just how much of an impact the play can have on offensive lineman.
Speaking on the Bussin' With The Boys podcast, Jurgens recalled the game in which they ran the play four straight times against the New York Giants.
He said: "That was the second half of the game and I couldn't even walk or stand. I go to the sideline after we score and everyone is so juiced up... I was like nah, dude, get the f--- away from me right now. Not cool, guys."
Jurgens then stated that his back felt 'awful' the next day and he was left unable to walk.
Jurgens opened up on the challenge of filling the void left by Kelce
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Jurgens has taken over from Jason Kelce at center for the Eagles(Image: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The play is so dominant that the Eagles prefer to run it, instead of giving the ball to superstar running back Saquon Barkley - who they made the highest-paid player at his position just one year ago.
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Although the play has previously been a topic of conversation of being voted out of the league by owners, it has already been confirmed that it will remain for 2026.
There were 112 attempted tush pushes in 2025, a number that was an increase from the previous year due to the Seahawks usage.
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