GLENDALE – The NFL is holding a league meeting with the competition committee to discuss banning the Philadelphia Eagles’ “Tush Push.” Head coach Nick Sirianni is understandably annoyed with the proposal. The Green Bay Packers, who lost to the Eagles in the Wild Card this year, were the franchise to bring the proposition to the committee. Sirianni is looking to his former assistants, like Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, to help keep the play alive.
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Dec 28, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon reacts against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Sirianni to Cardinals Gannon and other former coaches:
“We’ll see how it goes. All I will say about it is (Jonathan) Gannon, (Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane) Steichen, and (New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen) Moore better vote for it,” Sirianni told NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo. “They are in the [head coach] position right now because of that play. So, all three, I better have those three votes right there and the Eagles’ vote. I at least know we have four.”
Dec 21, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni (R) and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon (L) before action against the Washington Football Team at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The quarterback sneak has been unstoppable for many defenses to stop, including for the Cardinals head coach. However, when Gannon was the Eagles defensive coordinator, he reaped the benefits of the play all the way to a Super Bowl appearance, and now Sirianni is trying to claim that the play gifted the Cardinals coach his job. Sirianni sends a warning shot at Gannon and the other former assistants to vote to help keep the “Tush Push” legal.
According to senior ESPN NFL writer Kalyn Kahler, there is support within the competition committee for banning the play. If the ban is finalized, it would be a massive blow to the Eagles. Despite Sirianni’s plea, the vote is up to NFL owners, so there is a chance Gannon could talk to Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell to vote to keep the play legal.
Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill talks with head coach Jonathan Gannon before playing against the New York Jets at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 10, 2024. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Regardless, the decision on the “Tush Push” is out of the coaches’ hands, despite Sirianni’s pleas. The meeting will be held Tuesday and will have massive repercussions heading into next season.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
