The Buffalo Bills pulled off a hard-fought playoff win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, with the help of one of football’s most divisive plays.
The team successfully ran the tush push – the quarterback sneak made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles – to help secure victory.
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Yet even after using it, Sean McDermott made clear that he still believes the move should be banned.
The Bills’ head coach reiterated his concern about player safety and called for the NFL to take a closer look.
Sean McDermott says tush push remains a safety concern
Sean McDermott has been consistent in his stance on the tush push all season and did not soften after Sunday’s win.
“My position hasn’t really changed at all, even though there’s no significant data out there at this point, my biggest concern is the health and safety of the players,” he said.
“There’s other data out there that suggests that when you’re in a posture like we’re talking about, that could lead to serious injury, and I think being responsible and proactive in that regard is the right way to go.”
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McDermott’s comments came just hours after Buffalo used the same play to convert a key short-yardage situation in their win.
The irony wasn’t lost on fans, but the coach’s message was clear – success doesn’t make the play safer.
The tush push has divided opinion across the league, with some coaches praising it as a sign of innovation and others warning of unnecessary risk.
For McDermott, the concern lies in the contact-heavy nature of the formation, where players collide low to the ground, and injuries are harder to avoid.
Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Buffalo Bills’ best chance to win the Super Bowl
The Bills’ win over Jacksonville puts them one step closer to a long-awaited Super Bowl appearance, and the path has rarely been clearer.
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Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson all missed the playoffs this year, leaving the AFC field wide open.
Josh Allen and the offense have found rhythm at the right time, while McDermott’s defense looks battle-tested after an inconsistent start to the season.
Buffalo’s experience and balance make them one of the most dangerous teams left in the postseason.
With no perennial AFC powers standing in their way, the Bills have a real opportunity to finally reach the Super Bowl under McDermott.