Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is not among those who are against the "Tush Push".
Denver Broncos fans may not be thrilled with Sean Payton's take on controversial play originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Denver Broncos (2-2) will face the Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) this Sunday in what may be the team's toughest game of the season. If you have watched any Eagles games in the last couple of years, you know how prevalent the "Tush Push" has become.
Also known as the "Brotherly Shove", the play has become quite controversial among NFL fans and was close to being removed from the game in an offseason vote. The play needed 24 "yes" votes to be banned and 22 teams voted that way. It wasn't quite enough and the Eagles seem to be using it more than ever.
It's almost a certainty that the Broncos will have to defend this play on Sunday, but head coach Sean Payton is not among those who see an issue with the play. Speaking to the media ahead of the Week 5 game, Payton had this to say:
"I was one that stood up in favor of it. The reason I stood up in favor of it is pretty simple. If the powers to be don't want it for aesthetic reasons or competitive reasons or it's hard to officiate, et cetera. But I've been involved in those meetings for a long time, and when all of the sudden health and safety was pulled into that -- which might be the safest play in football -- my bullshit nose kind of went up. Look, it's a quarterback sneak.
"Credit Philadelphia. They scored a touchdown last week. Take a peek at this past week's touchdown off the tush push look, and it was a sweep to the left. I'm one that looks at it -- as long as the line of scrimmage is clean, that it's a well-run quarterback sneak. When you really evaluate it, it's more the technique of the sneak than the push.
You go all the way back to Green Bay against Dallas in the Ice Bowl and freaking Bart Starr crosses the goal line with someone pushing a little bit behind him. I was one that was in favor of leaving it alone on Philly's side."
That's definitely much different than what most fans (who aren't Eagles fans) feel. It has been argued that the play is dangerous and nearly unfair as it's close to unstoppable. The league will almost certainly take a refreshed look at the play again next year and ask teams to vote on whether it should stick around beyond this season.
Broncos coach Sean Payton, on the Eagles' "Tush Push":
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) September 30, 2025
"I was one, that stood up in favor of [it] ... When all of a sudden, health and safety was pulled into that which, which might be the safest play in football, my bulls*** nose kind of went up." pic.twitter.com/4j3RZN3kk4
By the way, the Broncos voted for the play to be banned during this year's vote.
READ:NFL experts make Week 5 Broncos-Eagles picks
One thing is for sure, the Eagles are going to continue to use it wherever and whenever they see fit. If you have never seen this play, watch the Broncos game this week and decide if you side with Payton or not.
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