Eagles star Saquon Barkley will likely be rested in last game, Eric Dickerson’s single-season NFL rushing record safe
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Philadelphia Eagles’ star running back Saquon Barkley will likely not play in the team’s final game of the season, meaning Eric Dickerson’s 2,105-yard single-season rushing record will remain intact for now.
Barkley, who has accumulated 2,005 rushing yards this season, is only 101 yards shy of breaking Dickerson’s long-standing record, which was set in 1984 when NFL teams played only 16 games per regular season. However, with the Eagles already having clinched the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff race after their victory over the Dallas Cowboys last week, head coach Nick Sirianni announced on Wednesday that Barkley will probably be rested for the Week 18 season finale against the New York Giants, his former team. The decision comes in an effort to prevent any injuries that could hinder the Eagles’ playoff run.
Sirianni emphasized the importance of prioritizing team success over individual achievements, stating that the decision was made with the team’s best interests at heart. “It’s a very special record that’s been standing for a very long time by a great player,” Sirianni explained. “It’s a team record that everybody is involved in, so you weigh in all those things. But at the end of the day, you just try to do what’s best for the team.” He also mentioned that the team’s goals are focused on success in the postseason, not individual records, as the Eagles aim to remain healthy and ready for playoff action.
While Barkley would have loved the opportunity to break the record, he expressed understanding and support for his coach’s decision. “My reaction was kind of like I told my family, obviously, my family probably wanted it a little bit more than me, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is winning football games and winning the playoffs,” Barkley said. “I’ve got a bigger goal in mind anyway.”
Barkley also acknowledged that although he would have loved the chance to make history, he fully respected the coach’s decision, adding, “He asked me if I wanted to play, if I want to go for it. I said on Sunday I probably didn’t care too much for it. When I slept on it, it was like it was an opportunity to implement my name in football history. May never get another opportunity like that again, so I’m down, but at the end of day, I don’t care (about getting the record) if we’re putting the team at risk.”
Although Barkley will likely fall short of surpassing Dickerson’s record this season, his performance in 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable. The 27-year-old running back, who spent his first six seasons with the Giants, has had an outstanding debut season in Philadelphia. Barkley became only the ninth running back in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a single season and was a serious contender for the league’s Most Valuable Player award throughout the year. Through Week 17, Barkley leads the NFL in several key categories, including 345 carries, 2,005 rushing yards, 125.3 yards per game, 378 total touches, and 2,283 scrimmage yards.
While Dickerson expressed that he would prefer not to see his record broken, he also acknowledged the unique circumstances surrounding Barkley’s season. “Do I want him to break it? Absolutely not. I don’t pull no punches on that,” Dickerson told the Los Angeles Times. However, he added, “But I’m not whining about it. He had 17 games to do it? Hey, football is football. That’s the way I look at it. If he’s fortunate to get over 2,000 yards and get the record, it’s a great record to have.”
Though Barkley’s quest to break the record may end in Week 18, his incredible performance this season has solidified his place as one of the NFL’s top running backs. With the playoffs on the horizon, Barkley and the Eagles now shift their focus to postseason success, with hopes of capturing a Super Bowl championship. The team’s decision to rest Barkley underscores the importance of health and preparation for the games that matter most, while still recognizing the incredible achievement he has accomplished.
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