Broncos HC Sean Payton Defends Controversial Decision Before Facing Eagles
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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is highly regarded for his offensive play-calling prowess, so it stands to reason that he would be in favor of innovation. However, Payton is also a defender of a polarizing old-school play, too.
That play is the “Tush Push” – or, “Brotherly Shove” – as popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles en route to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances and a title in 2024.
The rugby-style scrum has faced intense backlash amid tremendous, but isolated, success.
Broncos’ Sean Payton Defends ‘Tush Push,’ Credits Eagles
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Eagles may have popularized the “Tush Push,” but its origins can be traced back to 2018. Then, former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr suggested it during a sideline conversation with his teammates. At any rate, the Eagles could show the Broncos plenty of it.
Payton, though, remained unfazed by the idea and also said that he voted in favor of keeping the play legal during the vote this past offseason for a “pretty simple” reason.
“I was one that stood up in favor of,” Payton told reporters on September 30.
“If the powers to be don’t want it for aesthetic reasons or competitive reasons, I – it’s hard to officiate, etc. But I’ve been involved in those meetings for a long time. And when all of a sudden health and safety was pulled into that, which might be the safest play in football, my bull**** nose kind of went up. And so look, it’s a quarterback sneak, and I think credit Philadelphia. They scored a touchdown last week. Take a peek at this past week’s touchdown off the ‘tush push.’ Look, and it was a sweep to the left.”
The Eagles are not the only team that does or wants to run the play. They are by far the most successful at it, though. Moreover, there has been even more consternation about their offensive line’s alignment during the play.
The Broncos boast a stout offensive line, but the Eagles are a team built to test it and their linebackers at the second level, particularly with eye discipline.
Still, Payton is a proponent of the play heading into the Broncos’ tilt against the Eagles.
Sean Payton Gets Honest About ‘Tush Push’
Payton broke the play down into two parts – the actions of the quarterback and of those around him. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts will be who the Broncos must key on in that regard, with running back Saquon Barkley making that task far more difficult.
Payton noted that the essence of the play dates back to the late ‘60s.
“I’m one that looks at it, as long as the line of scrimmage is clean, that it’s a well-run quarterback sneak,” Payton said.
“When you really evaluate it, it’s more the technique of the sneak than the push. And so, you go all the way back to Green Bay against Dallas in the Ice Bowl, and freaking Bart Starr crosses the goal line with someone pushing a little bit behind them. So I was one that was in favor of leaving it alone, on Philly’s side.”
The initial action of the line is critical. The Broncos’ linebackers must be able to react if the Eagles pivot off the traditional “tush push” like they did in Week 4. Payton was in support of the Eagles’ position this past offseason. The Broncos head coach’s tune could change after facing the Eagles.
NFL Insider Reveals Chiefs’ True Feelings on Day 2 Rookie
It may still be early in the 2025-26 NFL season, but each team is beginning to get a better look at how its respective draft class is faring. The Kansas City Chiefs are no different, and general manager Brett Veach has to be feeling good.
Not only is his Day 1 selection panning out, but players from Days 2 and 3 of April’s NFL Draft are finding ways to get noticed. One of them, third-round defensive end Ashton Gillotte, is making his presence felt.
In an October 1 story for ESPN, insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano opened their notebooks. Graziano had some intriguing tidbits about Kansas City and its rookies.
Insider: DE Ashton Gillotte ‘Excites’ Chiefs Coaching Staff
Focusing in on Gillotte, Graziano says the first-year man is exciting the team already.
“Edge rusher Ashton Gillotte is a player who really excites the Chiefs,” Graziano wrote. He got his hand on a field goal attempt in the Week 3 victory over the Giants and has seen his snap count rise each week as the team continues to trust him more. I would not be surprised to see Kansas City continue to use Gillotte more as the season goes on as they rely more and more on their defense while the offense gets its act together.”
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Gillotte is rising to the top. The Louisville product came into the draft process flashing a high motor and an interesting mix of run defense chops and pass rush tools. While he has yet to turn that into a ton of statistical production, he’s playing a significant role.
Less than a month into his professional career, the No. 66 overall pick has 100 defensive snaps. He’s also factored into special teams, as Graziano mentioned, adding 25 snaps there. According to Pro Football Focus, he has 2 pressures in 57 pass-rushing opportunities.
With the regular season off and running, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo tipped his cap to Gillotte and said he “just gets better and better.” Given Charles Omenihu‘s slow start to the year and Mike Danna‘s quad injury, Kansas City has leaned on him more.
Gillotte is bordering on a trusted member of the defensive end room opposite George Karlaftis (who is also endearing himself to his coaches). That’s a noteworthy feat as October kicks off.
Kansas City’s 2025 NFL Draft Class Off to a Good Start
Regardless of how you break it up, it’s hard to not be impressed by this year’s Chiefs rookie class.
Take the first-rounder, for example. Left tackle Josh Simmons took ahold of the starting job and never looked back. There have been some growing pains, but head coach Andy Reid is clearly a fan. Simmons has the potential to be the final left tackle of Patrick Mahomes‘ career.
The second night of the draft seems to have yielded solid results, too, Gillotte notwithstanding. Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott is finding his way alongside defensive tackle Chris Jones. He gives the Chiefs and off-speed pitch to complement someone like run-stuffer Derrick Nnadi. Cornerback Nohl Williams is a PFF darling (top CB grade). His physicality at the line of scrimmage and down the field is tough to contend with.
There’s production and ceiling all the way in the seventh round. Running back Brashard Smith logged a career-high 19 snaps in Week 4’s triumph over the Baltimore Ravens, flashing in the receiving game. The converted wideout could see continued growth in the offense as the year progresses.
One of the biggest challenges of having a dynasty is during the year, it’s hard to find playing time for rookies. The impact typically shows up when veterans either get hurt or depart via free agency. Not only is Kansas City’s first-year crop taking advantage of opportunities, but they’re helping turn 2025’s tide around in the process.
For Gillotte specifically, this may just be the tip of the iceberg.
