Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley made it clear he\u2019s not interested in hearing complaints about the team\u2019s controversial \u201cTush Push\u201d quarterback sneak, a play that has been nearly unstoppable since its implementation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t like it, get better at stopping it,\u201d Barkley told ESPN<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s not like a play that only we can do. Everybody tries it. We\u2019re just super successful at it.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The \u201cTush Push,\u201d which involves pushing quarterback Jalen Hurts forward during a sneak, has been a game-changing play for the Eagles. Over the past three seasons, the team has scored 27 touchdowns and recorded 92 first downs using the tactic, making it a staple of their offensive scheme.<\/p>\n Barkley, who rushed for over 2,000 yards last season and helped power Philadelphia to a Super Bowl LIX victory, emphasized that the play has been effective long before he joined the Eagles in 2024.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were super successful before I was there,\u201d Barkley said. \u201cNow being on a team where you\u2019re lining up and everyone knows what you\u2019re doing, it\u2019s like, \u2018Stop me.\u2019 And they can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite its success, the play is now under scrutiny. NFL owners are set to meet on May 20-21 in Minneapolis to consider a revised proposal that would prohibit pushing or pulling a ballcarrier, not just in quarterback sneak situations but throughout all plays.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The debate over the play, which critics argue poses safety concerns, was tabled at the league meetings in Palm Beach last month. For the proposal to pass, at least 24 of the league\u2019s 32 owners must vote in favor.<\/p>\n However, the push to ban the play faces significant opposition. A league executive told reporters the safety concerns are \u201cnot backed by data\u201d and are \u201call subjective.\u201d<\/p>\n Barkley remains unconvinced that the play will be banned and doubled down on his stance.<\/p>\n \u201cSo they\u2019re gonna be in their feels about it, gonna try to make changes, but I don\u2019t see that happening,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd if it doesn\u2019t, just get better at stopping it.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has been vocal in his support of the play, calling it an essential part of Philadelphia\u2019s offensive identity.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, during the Eagles\u2019 White House visit earlier this week, President Donald Trump praised the play, telling the team, \u201cI hope they keep that play. I like it. It\u2019s exciting and different.\u201d<\/p>\n With the owners\u2019 meetings approaching, Philadelphia fans will be watching closely to see if one of their team\u2019s most effective plays survives the latest challenge from opponents who haven\u2019t found a way to stop it.<\/p>\n Related: Eagles First Round Pick Gets High Praise<\/a><\/p>\n