Jason Kelce couldn’t care less if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decides to ban the controversial “tush push” play.
During the latest installment of his “New Heights” podcast, which dropped Wednesday, the veteran Eagles center explained why he’s not wasting energy worrying about the future of the Brotherly Shove — which is Philadelphia’s signature short-yardage play — after The Athletic reported Goodell wants to see it removed from the game permanently.
“Listen, ban it. At this point, I don’t care. I’m over the discussion about it,” Jason said of the tush push, which is when the quarterback lines up behind the center and is pushed forward while driving himself.
“… We were really good at running quarterback sneak before we did the push. I don’t think that it’s a necessary part for it. It certainly helps, there’s no question about it.
“I don’t have the energy to care whether it gets banned or not. We’re going to run it right now because we’re good at it and it’s effective and whatever they do next season we’ll figure out a way to do something at a high level and make it effective.
“I don’t think it makes sense to really worry about it. It used to be illegal to push the runner, then they changed the rules… I don’t know. I got nothing. Whatever they want to do.”
Jason’s brother and podcast co-host, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, agreed.
“I think you’re right on,” Travis said.
Jason, 36, also explained that he doesn’t believe injuries or competitive advantage are “good reasons” to ban the play.
“If it’s for a health reason, I don’t think a lot of guys get injured on it,” he said. “… If it’s for an unfair advantage, we’ve already seen other teams do it at not as good of a success level, so I don’t know that it’s that big of a competitive advantage.”
Jason speculated how the tush push will ultimately be banned because “a lot of defensive coaches in particular don’t want to have to defend it.”
“Once the commish starts talking about it and saying he wants to get it done, it’s going to get done ladies and gentlemen,” Travis said.
“Mr. Goodell just made all our lives a little easier in the NFL outside the Eagles organization.”
The tush push has been a success for the Eagles, who have paired the play with running traditional quarterback sneaks with Jalen Hurts under center.
The tush push is likely going to be a hot-button topic among the competition committee, which is made up of owners, general managers and coaches, according to The Athletic, which noted there is not one person from the Eagles’ organization on the committee.
The Eagles (10-2) visit the Cowboys (9-3) on Dec. 10.