The NFL has instructed its officials to be extra vigilant about false starts during “tush push” plays, especially in short-yardage situations. On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles used the tush push several times against the Kansas City Chiefs — including on a third-and-short late in the game — to help secure a 20-17 victory. According to league training materials, the Eagles should have been flagged at least once for a false start in that game.
Ramon George, the NFL’s vice president of officiating training and development, emphasized that when teams are aligned in tight formations (or “bunch positions”) officials need to enforce rules more strictly. “Offensive teams have to be perfect in every aspect,” he said, noting that officials will now be expected to call movement before the snap more stringently in those scenarios.
Cam Jurgens, Eagles center, pushed back on criticism by saying that the team is focused on its execution and what the league might emphasize — but until the rules actually change, they’ll keep playing the way they do.
