Saquon Barkley addressed his team’s decision let him rest in the final game of the season, missing out on the opportunity to break the NFL’s single-season rushing record.
The Philadelphia Eagles star told reporters on Wednesday that he is “down” about the head coach Nick Sirianni’s decision to hold him out of Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Barkley said he talked to Siranni about the decision after last Sunday’s win against the Dallas Cowboys, and he wasn’t thrilled about it at the time, but became more invested in breaking the record after sleeping on it.
Now he won’t get that chance and he’s not sure he ever will again.
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November 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs past Washington Commanders defenders en route to a 39-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-Imagn images)
“He asked me if I wanted to play, I said I probably didn’t care that much on Sunday. When I slept about it, it was like it was an opportunity to put my name in.” I may never get an opportunity like this again. So I’m in trouble, but at the end of the day I don’t care if we endanger the team,” Barkley said.
Barkley said he also told his family about the situation, and they wanted him to break the record even more than he did.
“Obviously I told my family. My family probably wanted it a little more than I did,” Barkley said.
November 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs off the field after a win against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-Imagn images)
Still, Barkley accepts the decision and invests more in his availability to help his team win in the playoffs.
“At the end of the day, winning football games and winning the playoffs is the most important thing, and I have a bigger goal in mind,” Barkley said.
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Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on December 29, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Barkley, with 2,005 rushing yards this year, is 100 shy of Eric Dickerson’s record for most rushing yards in a single season. Dickerson broke the record with 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984.
In 1984, Dickerson topped the 100-yard mark twelve times, breaking OJ Simpson’s 1973 record with Buffalo of 2,003 yards in a single season. Dickerson needed 379 carries to set the record, while Barkley had 345 carries this season.
Barkley signed a three-year deal with the Eagles for $26 million guaranteed and $37.75 million total, making him the highest-paid running back in franchise history.
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