Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley didn’t hold back when addressing critics of the team’s controversial quarterback sneak play, calling on opponents to “get better at stopping it” as NFL owners prepare to vote on a proposed ban.
Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley made it clear he’s not interested in hearing complaints about the team’s controversial “Tush Push” quarterback sneak, a play that has been nearly unstoppable since its implementation.
“If you don’t like it, get better at stopping it,” Barkley told ESPN. “It’s not like a play that only we can do. Everybody tries it. We’re just super successful at it.”
The “Tush Push,” 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.
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.
“They were super successful before I was there,” Barkley said. “Now being on a team where you’re lining up and everyone knows what you’re doing, it’s like, ‘Stop me.’ And they can’t.”
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.
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’s 32 owners must vote in favor.
However, the push to ban the play faces significant opposition. A league executive told reporters the safety concerns are “not backed by data” and are “all subjective.”
Barkley remains unconvinced that the play will be banned and doubled down on his stance.
“So they’re gonna be in their feels about it, gonna try to make changes, but I don’t see that happening,” he said. “And if it doesn’t, just get better at stopping it.”
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has been vocal in his support of the play, calling it an essential part of Philadelphia’s offensive identity.
Meanwhile, during the Eagles’ White House visit earlier this week, President Donald Trump praised the play, telling the team, “I hope they keep that play. I like it. It’s exciting and different.”
With the owners’ meetings approaching, Philadelphia fans will be watching closely to see if one of their team’s most effective plays survives the latest challenge from opponents who haven’t found a way to stop it.
