The NFL has decided to table the issue of whether or not it will ban the tush push play. Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen has made his feelings on the matter clear.
Allen was a guest on “Green Light with Chris Long” for an interview that was published on Thursday. In the interview, Long asked Allen for his thoughts on the tush push play.
“That play — we all know it’s pretty much unstoppable. And me being the nose guard right over the ball is like, I’m a sacrificial lamb. Like, I’m dang near laying on the ground before to play…It’s just such a tough play. You have to try to get any advantage you can get. So up and over the pile, maybe hitting Jalen Hurts dissuades them from doing it. The whole league is searching for an answer to that play,” Allen concluded.
Allen ultimately believes the play should be banned.
“If they’re asking my opinion, I think it’s just an ugly play, not safe. Chris Jones got hurt in the Super Bowl because of it. I say, just get rid of it,” Allen feels.
We know just how much Allen doesn’t like the play.
Allen signed with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, but he spent his first eight seasons with the Commanders. In their playoff game against the Eagles in January, the Commanders committed several fouls in a row to avoid the tush push. It got so bad that the officials threatened to award Philly an automatic touchdown if things continued.
Though the NFL’s discussion on the matter has been tabled for now, Roger Goodell’s stance on things suggests the play may not have a bright future in the league.