Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has publicly declared an end to the historically close relationship between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers, following the Steelers’ vote to ban the team’s signature “Tush Push” play. The decision marks a dramatic shift in the bond between Pennsylvania’s two NFL franchises.
The “Tush Push,” a dominant short-yardage tactic for the Eagles since 2022, has been a point of contention in the league. At the NFL spring meeting on May 20, a proposal to ban the play, led by the Green Bay Packers, failed with a 22-10 vote, falling short of the required 24 votes for approval.
Despite the play’s survival, Lurie was dismayed to learn that the Steelers were among the 22 teams voting in favor of the ban, a move he views as a betrayal of their long-standing camaraderie. The two teams famously merged as the “Steagles” in 1943, fostering a unique bond over the decades.
“I trusted the Steelers to stand with us, but they chose to side against innovation,” Lurie said in a statement. “This vote ends the special relationship we’ve shared—it’s a shame to see such history discarded.”
The Steelers’ decision aligns with their conservative approach under coach Mike Tomlin, who has rarely utilized quarterback sneaks. Pittsburgh’s vote reflects broader concerns about the play’s safety, despite no conclusive data linking it to injuries, a point Lurie passionately defended during the meeting.
Eagles fans on X expressed outrage, with one writing, “Steelers turned their backs on us—relationship over!” A Steelers fan countered, “Safety comes first, even if it strains ties.” The fallout has sparked heated debates across Pennsylvania.
Lurie’s hour-long speech at the meeting, alongside Jason Kelce’s testimony, swayed enough owners to preserve the “Tush Push,” but the Steelers’ stance left a bitter taste. “We’ll push forward without them,” Lurie added.
As the Eagles prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys on September 4, the fractured relationship with the Steelers adds a new layer of tension to the NFL landscape, with the “Tush Push” remaining a symbol of Philly’s resilience in the Special Era.