NFL Owners Reject Tush Push Ban After Barkley Defense

Despite losing numerous goal-line touchdown opportunities to quarterback Jalen Hurts' execution of the Philadelphia Eagles' controversial "tush push" play, Saquon Barkley vocally defended the tactic amid calls for its ban in the NFL. Barkley criticized the attempts to outlaw the play as "soft" and "lame," emphasizing that the play is not exclusive to the Eagles and can be run by any team, though few have matched Philadelphia's success. The NFL owners narrowly voted against banning the play, with 22 in favor and 10 against, falling short of the 24 votes needed, ensuring the play remains legal for the 2025 season. Barkley highlighted that the criticism seems motivated by envy, noting that other big and strong quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson have not succeeded with the play, underscoring that the Eagles’ dominance is due to their powerful offensive line and Hurts’ strength. He also expressed skepticism about how officials could reasonably enforce a ban on pushing during short-yardage plays without causing confusion. Barkley’s stance reflects a broader player sentiment defending the play’s legitimacy and rejecting claims of safety risks, while also pointing out that opposition mainly comes from teams frequently competing against the Eagles.