The tush push has gained a reputation for being one of the most unstoppable plays in the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles have popularized and mastered it. No other teams have gotten to that level of expertise with it. Many New Orleans Saints fans hoped the team would start utilizing the play when they signed former Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to be their head coach. However, that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.
This level of success and mastery has made the tush push a point of conflict in the NFL. Teams and fans don’t believe it should be allowed. This led the Green Bay Packers to propose banning it this offseason. They needed 24 of the teams to vote to eliminate it (or 75%), but fell just short at 22.
Kellen Moore was asked about using the tush push in 2025 during a recent press conference. He was clear on his viewpoint about it. “That’s the Eagle’s play." Moore wouldn't rule it out but don't expect the Saints to use the play just because Moore came from Philadelphia.
The Saints don’t have the personnel to run the tush push
The hard truth is the Saints just don’t have the personnel to successfully run the tush push. The Eagles had one of the most physical offensive lines in the NFL, especially on the interior. The Saints just don’t have this luxury right now. Erik McCoy has an amazing presence at center, but they don’t have the necessary pieces at guard currently.
Another needed piece is a strong quarterback, especially in the lower half. There isn’t a quarterback who fits this archetype more than Jalen Hurts. His leg drive is unheard of at quarterback. He’s gone viral in college for squatting 600 LBs. This type of power is needed to keep the legs churning and moving forward. Spencer Ratter and Tyler Shough just aren’t close to that level.
One option that could work if the Saints do decide to use the play is for Taysom Hill to be at quarterback. He would likely have the necessary power to run the play effectively. But for him to master it, he would lose valuable time learning his actual position. It seems unlikely the Saints would sacrifice that as of now.
Although it would be amazing to utilize the tush push, it doesn’t look like the Saints will in 2025. They don’t have the required personnel or time to run it effectively. They will have to rely on more fundamental ways to operate in short yardage situations.