As the Philadelphia Eagles continue to dominate short-yardage situations with their now-famous “Tush Push” quarterback sneak, opposing defenses may be responding with tactics that push, or even cross, the limits of NFL rules.
One such method gaining attention is the use of “disconcerting signals”, a prohibited maneuver that some teams might be quietly using to disrupt the Eagles’ timing.
The Eagles’ tush push, which involves quarterback Jalen Hurts being forcefully pushed from behind by teammates on sneaks, has become one of the most effective plays in football. Its success rate has left defenders scrambling for ways to stop it. But now, some teams may be resorting to dishonest, and illegal, strategies.
According to ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler, some teams have begun imitating the Eagles’ cadence at the line of scrimmage in hopes of causing false starts. This move falls under a rarely-enforced unsportsmanlike conduct penalty known as disconcerting signals, which is supposed to result in a 15-yard penalty if detected.
The challenge of policing disconcerting signals
One notable example came in a Week 2 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. In a mic’d-up video from that game, Jalen Hurts can be clearly heard calling out “Delta set!”, his cadence before the snap.
Seconds later, multiple Chiefs defenders yell “Go, go!” along with other unclear shouts, seemingly in an attempt to imitate the cadence and confuse the offensive line. Though the tactic appears deliberate, no penalty was called.
The NFL rulebook specifically prohibits defenders from using “words or actions designed to disconcert the offensive team at the snap.” While that sounds straightforward, enforcing it is anything but.
ESPN rules analyst Russell Yurk explained that unless it’s blatantly obvious, officials are hesitant to call such a subjective penalty. The referees, usually standing 10-15 yards away, often can’t hear or prove intent, especially with loud stadiums masking the audio.
Adding to the confusion, there’s inconsistency in how the rule has been applied. For example, Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham was penalized for calling out a fake snap count during a field goal attempt in 2022. Yet in that case, the call was a 5-yard delay of game, not the 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty written in the rulebook for disconcerting signals.
Some fans have also suggested that the Rams may have attempted similar vocal interference during their matchup with Philadelphia, though no formal accusations have been made.
With more teams growing frustrated by the Eagles’ near-automatic sneak play, the use of deceptive, illegal tactics could increase. But unless NFL officials begin enforcing the disconcerting signals rule more strictly, teams might feel emboldened to keep using it, quietly and without consequences.
As the controversy around the tush push intensifies, expect both the play and its countermeasures to remain a hot topic for the rest of the season.
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