Jason Kelce has hit back over frustrations surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles’ tush push play following the opening game of the 2026 NFL season.
The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, got off to a winning start over the New England Patriots on Wednesday night.
It was far from a conventional win, with Mike Macdonald forced to play virtually the entire game without his starting quarterback, Sam Darnold.
Seattle, therefore, had to play smart during the game, but that was easier said than done as they were penalised 10 times at Lumen Field.
One of those penalties was an offside during Seattle’s version of Philly’s tush push, known in the Pacific Northwest as the Barnyard.
After seeing fans hit out over Seattle being punished after years of Eagles controversy, Kelce defended his former team passionately.
Jason Kelce defends Philadelphia Eagles’ tush push technique after Seahawks penalty
The tush push has been used by Philly for some time now, with many fans across the league calling for the play to be banned.
Seattle have made their own version of it with tight end AJ Barner when they need a yard or less on fourth down, hence the name The Barnyard.
However, the Seahawks saw their successful Barnyard attempt pulled back for an offside, which saw Kelce take to X to defend the Eagles.
“It’s tough to see on this angle, but all that it takes for an offensive player to be offside is for a body part to be in the neutral zone when the ball is snapped. The neutral zone is based off the ball, not the centre’s alignment,” Kelce replied to a fan about Seattle’s penalty call.
However, when another fan brought up a previous Eagles tush push that was not penalised, Kelce hit back.
“No one on offence is offside here, in fact a Miami Dolphins player is offside,” the retired centre replied.
The controversy will not go away unless the NFL decide to ban the play for being too dangerous.
Philly are in action on Sunday against the Washington Commanders, where fans are likely going to see the tush push in action once again.
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