Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has been a vocal defender of the team’s controversial “Tush Push” play, also known as the “Brotherly Shove,” in response to critics who sought to ban it ahead of the 2025 NFL season. The play, a quarterback sneak where players like Barkley push quarterback Jalen Hurts forward in short-yardage situations, has been a cornerstone of the Eagles’ offensive success, with an 82% conversion rate on first downs or touchdowns in 2024, including a key score in their Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Barkley addressed critics in a recent interview alongside teammates Reed Blankenship and Cooper DeJean, saying, “If you don’t like it, get better at stopping it. It’s not like a play that we only do. Everyone tries it, we’re just super successful at it.” He emphasized the play’s fairness, noting that its success stems from the Eagles’ execution and preparation, not an unfair advantage. Barkley’s comments echo Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, who has rejected claims that the play guarantees automatic yardage, attributing its effectiveness to rigorous practice.
The push to ban the Tush Push, led by the Green Bay Packers, fell short at the NFL’s spring meeting on May 21, 2025, with a vote of 22-10, missing the 24 votes needed to outlaw it. Critics, including NFC East rivals like the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, argued the play was not a true football play and posed safety risks, while supporters, including the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions, saw it as a strategic innovation. Posts on X reflect Barkley’s stance, with users like @NFL_DovKleiman and @jasrifootball highlighting his call for opponents to “get better at stopping it.”
Barkley’s defense also underscores his team-first mentality. Despite the Tush Push limiting his own touchdown opportunities—most of Hurts’ 52 rushing touchdowns over the last four seasons came from the play—Barkley has expressed no frustration, stating, “I don’t care bro, I’m just trying to win. Let’s get it,” after a goal-line play in 2024. His contract, notably, lacks touchdown-based incentives, aligning his focus on team success over personal stats.
The Tush Push remains legal for 2025, and Barkley’s outspoken support, combined with the Eagles’ celebratory “Push On” merchandise, signals their intent to keep leveraging the play. For context, the Eagles’ dominance was evident in a Week 1 game against the Packers, where a rare Tush Push failure due to an aborted snap was salvaged by Barkley’s recovery, securing a field goal in a 34-29 win. If you’d like a chart visualizing the Eagles’ Tush Push success rate compared to the league average, let me know