Chris Simms raised eyebrows this week over a perplexing suggestion on how opposing defenses can stop Jalen Hurts and the Eagles from utilizing the “tush push.”
When discussing the Eagles pushing their star quarterback up the middle to aid in a sneak on Wednesday’s installment of “Pro Football Talk Live,” Simms didn’t mince words when sharing what he would tell defenders on how to handle the play.
“If I was a defensive coach, I’d be going, ‘go head-hunting on the quarterback, here. Go ahead, let ’em have it, dive over, go crazy, try to kill the quarterback.’ That’s what I would do,” Simms said.
Chris Simms on the #Eagles Brotherly Shove/QB Sneak: “If I was a Defensive Coach, I’d be going ‘Go headhunting on the QB here. Go crazy. Try to kill the QB. That’s what I’d do. I don’t mean it like that. Well, I don’t mean kill, but make him pay, make him think twice about it.” pic.twitter.com/aJhmehlNFR
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) September 27, 2023
Within the same breath, Simms said, “I don’t mean it like that,” to which Mike Florio echoed a similar sentiment.
“First of all, I didn’t say that,” Florio said. “Second of all, that’s not what Chris means.”
Simms then reiterated, “You know I don’t mean kill, but I mean make him pay, make him think twice about doing it.”
The comments ignited chatter online, with some expressing disbelief on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Did he just say this out loud?” one X user wrote.
A separate user wrote, “Chris Simms has pivoted from placing Jalen Hurts way too low in his quarterback rankings to openly calling for his death.”
“Over the top as usual Sims,” one user posted.
The play has long been a subject of controversy in the league, with critics endorsing its removal.
The NFL competition committee reportedly considered eliminating the “tush push” following the Super Bowl in February.
Hurts, 25, spoke to reporters Wednesday about the play in question, in which the Eagles quarterback will typically get a push from his linemen from behind in hopes of gaining yardage.
“I have no thoughts on it,” Hurts said, according to Fox News.
“We’re the only people that’s doing it as well as we are. You know, heard a guy wanted me hurt for it, too.”
It is unclear who Hurts may have been referencing.
The Eagles, who are one season removed from a Super Bowl berth, improved to 3-0 on Monday with a 25-11 win over the Buccaneers.
They’ll host the Commanders on Sunday afternoon.
