Former Broncos veteran explains why a defensive ‘Tush Push’ doesn’t exist

The Tush Push is a staple of the modern-day Philadelphia Eagles. Of course, it isn’t the first time the team invented a new play. Before the Tush Push, the Philadelphia Eagles had the “Philly Special,” a trick play that turned the quarterback into a receiver.

It was employed at Super Bowl LII and helped the Eagles defeat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Fast forward to Super Bowl LIX in 2024, and the Tush Push has taken its place. Jalen Hurts employed the play to help defeat Patrick Mahomes.

After years of using the play to help dominate the NFC, the Green Bay Packers have filed a petition to ban the Tush Push. However, while a Tush Push exists on offense, one does not exist on defense. After years of watching it, the defense has had plenty of time to adapt one, so what gives?

Mark Schlereth on the defensive Tush Push

Speaking on a February 26 edition of the “Rich Eisen Show,” NFL expert and former Broncos veteran Mark Schlereth recalled doing one to attempt to defend against an extra point attempt.

He added: “I was a member of the Washington Redskins back in the day, where we would be on PAT field goal block, and we would actually line up. We had a guy by the name of Mike Tice, great tight end. So Mike was a 6’7″ guy.”

“I would line up behind him on PAT field goal block. We get in the A gap, and my job was to shove him through the A gap in hopes that he might block the extra point or the field goal. And the NFL banned that,” he said.

So, you can blame Big NFL for putting the kibosh on that.

Mark Schlereth calls for a Tush Push ban

Using the logic for why the defensive Tush Push was banned, Mark Schlereth explained exactly why the play should no longer be allowed.

“So I would tell you, if you lined up on the defensive side of the ball with linebackers sitting behind defensive tackles and linebackers shoving defensive tackles through the line of scrimmage, I think that’s illegal. You can’t do it. So why is it okay for the offensive side of the ball to be able to do that, but the defensive or special team side of the ball you can’t do it?”

Of course, the answer is blatantly obvious. The league is an offensive league. More points leads to more excitement, higher ratings, and greater ad revenue for the NFL.

If the game were to be allowed in a vacuum, such a ban might make sense. Or, put it the other way where the Tush Push would be allowed on every side of the ball. However, that’s simply not the business the NFL is in. Will the league instead choose to follow Schlereth’s logic to slap down the Super Bowl champions?