The Philadelphia Eagles’ infamous “Tush Push” continues to stir controversy across the NFL, and Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is the latest figure to weigh in. As the league continues to debate whether to ban the play—which has become a staple in the Eagles’ short-yardage arsenal—McVay candidly shared his thoughts on recent discussions with Eagles GM Howie Roseman and Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott.
Speaking with ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler, McVay admitted he’s not a fan of the play—despite understanding its effectiveness.
“Some of the pushback is about health and safety risks,” McVay said. “And Howie made a great point about the fact that, hey, there’s other plays, well, why is that any different than a normal sneak… I said, it’s a very valid point. And then I did acknowledge the fact that I didn’t like the optics, even though I know I sound like a hater, wanting it out, because you guys do it better than anybody else.”
That honesty sparked some playful banter from Roseman, who called out McVay for being a “hater”—a label McVay seemed to accept with a smile. The Rams’ head coach and McDermott are both reportedly among the 16 voices in favor of eliminating the Tush Push, citing concerns ranging from competitive imbalance to potential health and safety risks.
McDermott, who serves on the competition committee alongside McVay, emphasized that his stance is rooted in doing what’s best for the game. “All three of us are about doing what’s best for the game,” he said, referring to himself, McVay, and Roseman.
Still, there’s no clear data supporting the health risk argument. And the Eagles—who’ve turned the Tush Push into a nearly unstoppable force—continue to defend it, along with several other coaches who’ve worked under Nick Sirianni.
As the NFL tables the discussion for now, the play remains legal—at least heading into the 2025 season. But with strong opinions on both sides of the debate, it’s clear this isn’t the last we’ve heard about the Tush Push.
