Matt Calkins: Seahawks' AJ Barner could run NFL's last Tush Push during Super Bowl

Matt Calkins, The Seattle Times on Feb 5, 2026

Published in Football

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SAN JOSE, Calif. — Grey Zabel said he would have some hardware ready. A photo, too.

The Seattle Seahawks guard is locker-mates with tight end AJ Barner, who has become Seattle’s one-yard wonder this season.

Seems any time the Seahawks need to convert a third or fourth down with the ball less than three feet from the first-down marker, they activate Barner for the Tush Push play, which his fans have dubbed the “Barnyard.”

But when it was brought to Zabel’s attention that NFL rule changes might make it so Barner runs the last Tush Push in league history Sunday in the Super Bowl, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“I would 100% get him like a plaque — ‘The Last Tush Push in NFL History’ and get him like a picture, too, if that’s the case,” said Zabel, whose team is set to take on the New England Patriots. “It’s so cool to see the success that AJ is having and cool to see him as the guy who does the Tush Push because he is one of one.”

So here’s how it would usually work: If the Seahawks needed one yard or less for a late-down conversion, they would line Barner up behind center, send him a direct snap and have running back Zach Charbonnet and a fullback push him through the trenches. Seattle is 10 for 11 this season on Barnyard attempts, and has gotten an additional three first downs due to opponents jumping offsides. Funny enough, the Seahawks were one of 22 teams to vote for banning such a play before the season began, but there was no rule change due to the 24 votes required.

Now, their success with the play might be what convinces the rest of the league to nix it once and for all. But not if a certain tight end has anything to say about it.

“I’ve heard about the rule change, but I’m hoping that it stays, selfishly,” Barner said Tuesday. “It is the last hurrah, though, hopefully we go out on a high note.”

Barner, in his second NFL season, never pictured himself in this role when the season began. He didn’t watch Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts — who popularized the move several years ago — and think, "that could be me!"

But last offseason, Seahawks coaches approached Barner about making him the central figure in their version of the play. For one, he was big — Barner stands 6-feet-6 and weighs 250 pounds. Second, he played some quarterback in his early high school years, so he is familiar with taking snaps.

And though no coach cited this specifically, AJ did spend last offseason training with UFC legend Chuck Liddell, so he knows a thing or two about absorbing hits. The result has essentially made it so the rest of the Seahawks offense needs just nine yards per series of downs.

Seattle defensive lineman Jarran Reed has never had to go up against the Barnyard in practice. He does, however, feel a certain sense of ease when he sees his offensive teammates lining up for it during games.

“When we call that play, in my mind, we’re already counting it as a first down,” Reed said. “AJ is crazy. We love to see him go out and get it.”

It’s clear that Barner’s enthusiasm for talking about the play has waned over the past couple of days. It’s all most people have wanted to ask him about during Super Bowl week, and with a large number of credentialed media here the guy who’s automatic in short yardage has put his answers on autopilot.

But this is what comes with success — the alternative would be that nobody cares.

There is one important programing note regarding the Barnyard for Sunday. Charbonnet, who also missed the NFC Championship Game vs. the Rams, will not be in uniform due to an injury. That doesn’t mean the play isn’t part of the plan — it just means one of Barner’s usual escorts won’t be on the field.

The main weapon here is AJ, though — the fourth-round draft choice who, along with several other picks over the past two years, is making Seahawks GM John Schneider look like a genius.

To be clear: Barner doesn’t just want to be known as the Tush Push guy. He said on Tuesday that he wants to be seen as one of the best tight ends in the league. Perhaps he’ll get there one day. In the meantime, there’s a Super Bowl to worry about.

The Seahawks were a yard short the last time they were there. Seems they have their guy should that situation arise again.

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