"Still not real football": Former NFL QB Kurt Benkert slams Eagles' Tush Push despite 20-17 win over Chiefs

The Philadelphia Eagles may have edged out the Kansas City Chiefs 20-17 in a tense clash, but their victory was quickly overshadowed by a storm around their trademark “Tush Push.” The short-yardage play, used late in the game near the end zone, appeared to involve multiple false starts and neutral zone violations. No penalty was called, sparking outrage among fans—and a sharp rebuke from former Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert, who declared the sequence “not real football.”Benkert, who has built a strong following with his candid takes on social media, dissected the play in slow motion and highlighted what he viewed as three separate penalties overlooked by officials. “I had the Eagles winning today, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is a penalty and still not real football,” Benkert wrote on X, voicing the frustration of those who felt the refs looked the other way.Unlike armchair analysts, Benkert’s critique carries the weight of experience. Having played quarterback in the NFL, his perspective goes beyond fan outrage and speaks to the heart of the rulebook. By calling out the Tush Push as a distortion of the sport, he tapped into a broader unease: whether the league’s most polarizing play is skillful innovation or an unfair loophole.The win over the Chiefs should have been a statement moment for Philadelphia, yet the controversy cast a shadow over the result. The Eagles used the Tush Push as their trusted weapon once again, reminding opponents of its near-automatic success rate. For critics, though, the no-call on Sunday only deepens the case that the play undermines football’s competitive balance in the eyes of many.Benkert’s blunt assessment highlights a growing divide across the league. To some, the Tush Push is tactical brilliance; to others, it is rugby dressed up as football. Sunday’s missed flags have amplified the debate, turning a tight 20-17 Eagles win into a larger talking point about officiating consistency and the future of one of the NFL’s most controversial plays.Also read: Will Puka Nacua play tonight against the Titans? Latest injury update on Rams star WR