If one play has taken the NFL by storm, it’s the Tush Push. It is a very effective play performed by the Philadelphia Eagles, and many in the NFL want it banned, sparking many debates among NFL officials, fans, and players. The play involves a quarterback sneaking with the help of others to push the quarterback from behind into the end zone or across the first-down line, and it seems to be the one play no one can stop. It has turned Jalen Hurts into a fantasy football monster.
Early this week, it appeared that the NFL was on its way to banning this play, but the resolution to change the rules and ban it came up two votes short. Still, this is an opportunity to reflect on this hugely impactful play. Let’s take a look at what the fantasy football impact would have been if the Tush Push was banned.
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Fantasy Football Impact If The Tush Push Had Been Banned
It Hurts Jalen
If the Tush Push were banned (or still is in the future), Jalen Hurts‘ fantasy value would take a hit. Would the Eagles evolve the play? Or perhaps design a new end zone play? And where do the touchdowns go? This play has greatly impacted why Jalen Hurts scores so many fantasy points for league managers. In 2024, Hurts recorded 14 rushing touchdowns, with 11 coming from the one-yard line. Over the last two seasons, 22 of his 29 touchdowns were from the one-yard line.
Banning this play would significantly impact Hurts’s fantasy value going forward. In 2024, he averaged 22 points per game. If you removed the touchdowns from the tush push, Hurts would drop from the QB2 to the QB17. Don’t be fooled; Hurts is still a great fantasy quarterback due to his mobility and ability to sling the ball. Hurts also has great weapons surrounding him in Philadelphia, with weapons like A.J. Brown, Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert. Hurts would be fine one way or another, but it would hurt.
The Barkley Effect
With Saquon Barkley jumping onto the scene last season after the Eagles signed the Giants’ free agent, many figured he would eat into many of these goal-line touchdowns, but that was not the case. Barkley did, however, have a stellar year, rushing for 2,005 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. One can only imagine how many fantasy points Barkley could have had with all of the Tush Push touchdowns added.
There is little doubt that Barkley won’t be effective in 2025. Now, will he repeat rushing for over 2,000 yards? That remains to be seen, but if the Eagles have to come up with another way to score and be effective in the end zone, having Barkley in the backfield helps.
Other Targets
It is hard to say that other players, outside of Barkley, would benefit if the Eagles were forced to abandon or modify the Tush Push, since it is designed to be played at the one-yard line and run the ball in. Throwing the ball would defeat the purpose and effectiveness of the play, and how would you be able to be creative and come up with a throwing play that isn’t really different from the ones they have designed for the red zone already? In terms of modifying the play, the only real option would be to have it centered around Hurts or Barkley. The question would be how the Eagles would achieve this. Of course, the Eagles could also choose to use a more traditional goal line offense, with more passing, which would mean more potential touchdowns for their playmakers.
Looking Ahead
Hurts is a top fantasy quarterback in Redraft, Best Ball, and Dynasty right now, especially now that the Tush Push stays and is not banned. If it were forbidden, it would break his fantasy stock, and his overall value would drop. Although it was not banned this year, we are all in the hands of the NFL owners and what they ultimately decide to do. Two votes is a very small margin. Be cautious as a Dynasty league manager when thinking about Jalen Hurts. If the Tush Push is ever banned, drafting Barkley along with Hurts would be a recommendation. The Eagles may modify the Tush Push and incorporate Barkley somehow instead of Hurts, or they may simply run traditional goal-line rushes with their superstar back.
The Tush Push is a play you either like as an Eagles fan or hate as an opposing fan. Either way, it is effective on the field and in fantasy football. Until we hear otherwise, it looks as if the tush push is here at least for another day.
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