La polémica del ‘tush push’: Eagles, Chiefs y la táctica ilegal que podría cambiar la NFL

El famoso ‘tush push’ de los Philadelphia Eagles, jugada que ha dominado las trincheras de la NFL gracias a la fortaleza de la línea ofensiva y la potencia de Jalen Hurts, volvió a ser tema de debate tras el duelo ante los Kansas City Chiefs. Aunque muchos lo consideran indefendible, la controversia creció cuando en una de estas jugadas, que terminó en touchdown de Hurts, las Águilas incurrieron en una infracción que no fue sancionada por los oficiales.

La polémica no terminó ahí. En respuesta, los Chiefs emplearon una maniobra considerada ilegal: las llamadas “señales desconcertantes”, que buscan imitar la cadencia del mariscal de campo para provocar una salida en falso de la ofensiva. Según el reglamento, esta práctica equivale a un castigo de 15 yardas, pero los jueces no lo marcaron en el partido.

Expertos en reglas como Kalyn Kahler (ESPN) y Russell York coincidieron en que este tipo de acciones son extremadamente difíciles de detectar. York explicó que, al estar los árbitros a más de 12 yardas de la línea, es complicado determinar si la defensa imita intencionalmente al quarterback. “Los oficiales no quieren marcar una falta tan subjetiva basándose solo en lo que escuchan, porque no es fácil de comprobar en video”, señaló.

La situación plantea una pregunta clave: ¿es esta la manera de detener al ‘tush push’? Aunque la NFL reconoció el error arbitral en el encuentro y aseguró que pondrá mayor atención en estas situaciones, la táctica usada por Kansas City podría convertirse en un recurso para otros equipos en busca de frenar a los campeones.

El árbitro veterano Ramon George lo resumió con claridad: “Siempre que tenemos estas jugadas en corto yardaje, debemos asegurarnos de que se arbitren correctamente; el equipo ofensivo tiene que ser perfecto en todos los aspectos”.

Así, mientras los Eagles siguen sacando ventaja de su polémica jugada, los rivales parecen dispuestos a explorar nuevas, aunque ilegales, formas de nivelar el terreno de juego.
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Patrick Mahomes hopes to have Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy back to revitalize the Chiefs' offense (Kansas City, Missouri)

After an inconsistent start to the season (1-2), Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, remains optimistic: the key for the two-time AFC champions to regain their offensive dominance lies in the return of two of their "old teammates" – wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy. Both players, who are crucial to Andy Reid's passing game, have been sidelined due to injuries and suspensions, leaving the Chiefs' offense without its characteristic explosiveness. "Everything looks great now that the guys are back and healthy. The core will be complete, and the goal is to build on that to get back to those explosive plays of the past," Mahomes stated in an interview.

Context of the absences:

The Chiefs have struggled in the first three weeks without their trademark high-flying passing game, a hallmark of the Mahomes era. The team, which averaged 28.5 points per game in 2024, has dropped to 18.3 in 2025, with Mahomes completing only 62% of his passes and throwing just four touchdowns (compared to 26 last season).

Opposing defenses have opted to clog the middle of the field, forcing Mahomes into short, conservative passes – 65% of his passes have been for less than 10 yards.

Marquise "Hollywood" Brown: Acquired in free agency in March 2025 on a three-year, $51 million contract, Brown suffered a dislocated sternoclavicular joint on the first play of the preseason. He returned briefly for two regular season games and the 2024 playoffs, with only 14 receptions for 141 yards, but his role was minimal. "It's hard to give him a huge role at the end of the season. I'm happy he's back now, with the entire offseason and training camp ahead, to expand his impact," Mahomes explained. Brown, a former teammate of Lamar Jackson in Baltimore and Kyler Murray in Arizona, brings speed (4.27 40-yard dash) and experience on deep routes, something the Chiefs have missed since Tyreek Hill left in 2022.

Xavier Worthy: The Chiefs' first-round pick in the 2025 draft (No. 28 overall), Worthy has been suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy (a positive test for THC). The Texas receiver, known for his 4.21-second 40-yard dash, joins Brown as the "dynamic duo" Mahomes craves to unlock big plays. In training camp, Worthy showed immediate chemistry with Mahomes, with highlights including 60-plus-yard passes. His return coincides with Brown's, allowing Reid to rotate with Rashee Rice (who returns from his own suspension in Week 5).

Key season timeline:

Week 1 (loss vs. Ravens, 20-24): Mahomes throws for 312 yards but two interceptions in a stagnant offense without Brown and Worthy.

Week 2 (loss vs. Eagles, 17-27): Isiah Pacheco's rushing game saves the day, but the passing game falters with just 189 passing yards.

Week 3 (win vs. Giants, 22-9): Mahomes leads a 74-yard drive in the second half, but the offense remains "plodding," as The Athletic describes it. "It was an ugly game against an ugly opponent, but Mahomes made it his own," the outlet notes.

Next steps: With Brown and Worthy back for Week 4 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers, the Chiefs (1-2) look for their second win. Mahomes, who turned 30 last week, emphasizes, "The core is back in full force. The offense can be really good."