Andy Reid Breaks Silence on Tush Push: “It Kills Me” Warning from Jason Kelce!

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has spoken candidly about the controversial “tush push” play, admitting that while he sees the injury concerns associated with it, he wouldn’t hesitate to use it if his team could execute it as effectively as the Philadelphia Eagles.

Reid, appearing as a guest on PFT Live at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, shared his thoughts on the play that has dominated conversation in recent NFL seasons. The Chiefs have steered clear of quarterback sneaks with Patrick Mahomes after an injury early in his career, but Reid emphasized that if Kansas City could run the play as well as the Eagles, he’d likely use it.

“They do it better than anybody, so they’re gonna get criticized,” Reid explained. “Heck, if we could do it effectively, I’d probably do it.”

The play, which has gained notoriety for its success in short-yardage situations, has become a point of contention across the league. Some, including Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, have raised concerns about its safety. McDermott and others have suggested that it could be dangerous and may need to be banned.

Reid expressed understanding of these safety concerns, especially in light of comments made by former Eagles center Jason Kelce. Kelce, known for his toughness on the field, has repeatedly stated that while the play is highly effective, it takes a heavy toll on those executing it. Kelce, both during his playing days and after retirement, described the physical strain of the play, particularly from a center’s perspective.

“That’s how I feel, but these committees take care of all this injury stuff,” Reid said, acknowledging the legitimacy of injury concerns. “You hear Jason Kelce coming out — he said it when he was playing, he said it when he’s retired. And I got a lot of trust in that kid, he’s tougher than shoe leather. He’s out there going, ‘this is a great play, but it kills me. As a center, I was getting destroyed.’ That in itself is an alarm that you gotta look at.”

Despite Reid’s own recognition of the play’s potential risks, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has defended it, arguing that the injuries related to the tush push are not as common as some claim. Sirianni has expressed confidence that league data will ultimately demonstrate that the play is not the injury epidemic it’s sometimes portrayed as.

As the debate over the tush push continues to unfold, the NFL’s decision-making committees will likely weigh the effectiveness of the play against its potential for harm. For now, coaches like Reid seem to be taking a measured approach, acknowledging the play’s advantages while also keeping a watchful eye on its physical toll on players.