After seeing how successful the Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurts were at the quarterback sneak this past season, the NFL might be looking to ban their version of it.
On Thursday, in a report from The 33rd Team‘s Paul Domowitch, Fox Sports rules analyst Dean Blandino said that the NFL might be ready to take the ban hammer to the Eagles’ signature quarterback sneak push.
“I think the league is going to look at this, and I’d be shocked if they don’t make a change,” Blandino said.
This season, the Eagles and Hurts converted 36 of 40 quarterback sneaks. In large part, Hurts succeeded thanks to the Eagles dual running back formation, as after the quarterback received the snap and used his legs to push forward, the players behind him would give him an extra boost.
FOUR TOUCHDOWNS FOR @JalenHurts. WOW.
📺: #SBLVII on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/d8gBDzRt2m pic.twitter.com/4gMQdgM7Gm— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2023
According to Blandino, other NFL coaches have started to pick up on how successful Hurts and the Eagles have been and are going to adjust accordingly if the league doesn’t ban the maneuver.
“I was talking to (Denver Broncos coach) Sean Payton during Sunday’s game, and he said we’re going to do this every time next season if they don’t take it out,’’ Blandino said.
“It amounts to a rugby scrum. The NFL wants to showcase the athleticism and skill of our athletes. This is just not a skillful play. This is just a tactic that is not an aesthetically pleasing play, and I think the competition committee is going to take a look at it.’’
In 2005, the NFL lifted the ban on pushing the ball carrier, making the move legal for nearly two decades now. Pretty impressive that it’s only taken until now for a NFL team to utilize the strengths of their squad to the point where the league once again may ban their take on it.
