Bears' Ben Johnson Knocks Eagles' Tush Push, Says He Prefers 'Explosive Plays'

Count Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson among those who aren't big fans of the Philadelphia Eagles' controversial Tush Push play.

When asked about the Tush Push by reporters Wednesday, Johnson noted that he favors explosive plays, saying: "Does it become an explosive play ever? Have you ever seen a Tush Push become an explosive play? I like explosive plays. I like big plays. So, I'm not a big Tush Push guy myself."

Johnson's comments came hours after a proposal to ban the Tush Push fell just short at the NFL's spring meeting in Minnesota. Twenty-four of the league's 32 voters needed to vote for the ban in order to make it official, but only 22 owners voted in favor of it.

The Green Bay Packers first proposed banning the Tush Push, and they later revised their proposal, suggesting that it should be illegal for any ball carrier to be pushed or pulled by a teammate.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Wednesday morning that the NFL's Health and Safety Committee and Competition Committee both voted in favor of banning the Tush Push.

As a result, Russini noted that the Tush Push was "likely on its way out."

Despite that, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and former Eagles center Jason Kelce passionately lobbied to keep the Tush Push in the game during Wednesday's meeting, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

Lurie and Kelce were successful, as 10 owners voted against banning the Tush Push, which was just enough since at least nine votes were needed.

The Tush Push is a variation of the quarterback sneak, which features one or more players pushing the quarterback from behind to convert in short-yardage situations.

Led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Eagles have run it more often and successfully than any team in the NFL over the past few years, along with the Buffalo Bills.

According to ESPN Research (h/t Pryor), the Eagles and Bills have run the Tush Push a combined 163 times over the last three seasons, which is more than all other teams combined.

The Eagles and Bills also converted at an 87 percent rate, compared to 71 percent for the rest of the league.

Despite that, the Bills were among the 22 teams that voted to ban the Tush Push, as did Johnson's Bears.

However, Johnson's former team, the Detroit Lions, voted to keep the Tush Push as a legal play.

Prior to the Bears hiring him as their head coach following the 2024 season, Johnson spent three years as the Lions' offensive coordinator.

Johnson's affinity for explosive plays was apparent in Detroit, as the Lions ranked in the top five in total offense and scoring in each of his three seasons, including ranking first in scoring and second in total offense last season.

He will look to make the Bears' offense similarly effective in 2025, although it doesn't sound like Johnson intends to make the Tush Push a key part of his game plan.

Johnson will have to find a way to defend the Tush Push, though, when the Bears go on the road to face the Eagles on Nov. 28 for a Black Friday showdown.