Payton Calls Eagles' Tush Push Safest Play

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton defended the Eagles' rugby-inspired "tush push" ahead of Sunday's game in Philadelphia, saying he spoke up in meetings to keep the play and calling it "might be the safest play in football." He credited Philadelphia for perfecting the short-yardage tactic, noted they run alternative plays out of the same formation, and pointed to a recent variation in which Jalen Hurts pitched to Saquon Barkley for a touchdown. The play has drawn heavy scrutiny, including officiating questions after multiple false starts, and an owners' proposal to ban it fell two votes short of the 24 needed to pass. Reporting about how Denver's ownership voted was mixed, with some accounts saying the Broncos supported a ban and others not listing them among teams opposed. Payton reiterated that, so long as the line of scrimmage is clean, he views the tush push as a legitimate quarterback sneak and urged preparation for its variations rather than elimination.