The Philadelphia Eagles are set to turn down the chance to let Saquon Barkley break out one season in the NFL Record haste.
The team's coach, Nick Sirianni, told reporters on Wednesday that the team will rest several key players for the final match of the season against… New York Giants —Barkley's former team. The Eagles are already locked into the No. 2 seed in the upcoming NFC playoffs and have nothing to gain with a win.
Barkley, with 2,005 rushing yards this year, is 100 yards shy of Eric Dickerson's record for most rushing yards in a single season. But the team will choose to prevent the risk of injury rather than go for the milestone.
Sirianni said he spoke with Barkley, in his first season with the Eagles after six years with the Giants, about his decision.
“I think it's pretty clear how special this guy is,” Sirianni said.
Sirianni said he plans to talk to everyone, including players, coaches, general manager Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie before making his decision.
The Eagles had a bye week in Week 5, and came back from a 2-2 start to win 10 straight games and take control of the division. But a 12-game winning streak — in which Barkley added to his NFL-high 345 — also played a role in giving Sirianni one week off before the Eagles open the playoffs at home.
“It wasn't the easiest decision moving forward,” Sirianni said. “We have great people in this building and we have a lot of input from a lot of different people, including the players.”
Barkley also said he would prioritize team success over record-breaking.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, 26, returns to the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
“I came here to do something special, and obviously breaking the record is special,” Barkley said after the Eagles won the division. “But I want a banner up there. I think we all do. But we gave ourselves a chance with that and made the playoffs before and now with the division.”
Barkley should have plenty of company in the starting lineup against the Giants. Hurts was still in the NFL's concussion protocol on Wednesday and was unable to practice or play until he was cleared.
Kenny Pickett started for the Eagles last week and ran and threw for a touchdown before leaving with a rib injury. Third-string QB Tanner McKee threw a pair of touchdown passes as he put the finishing touches on the Cowboys' rout.
“At the end of the day, I had to make the decision on what I felt was best,” Sirianni said.
After he He ran for 167 yards In Sunday's win over Dallas – the 27-year-old Barkley said he wants the record, but he'll do what's best for the team, even if it means sitting out the final game of the regular season.
“Relax, I'm okay with that too, because I didn't come here and sign here just to rush to get 2,000 or break the record,” Barkley said on Sunday. “I want to do something special, special with the team.”
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Barkley signed a three-year contract with the Eagles for $26 million guaranteed and $37.75 million overall, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history.
The decision also ends the concern that Barkley would have scored the record 17th overtime game that Dickerson did not have in 1984.
In 1984, Dickerson reached 100 yards rushing 12 times to break OJ Simpson's record of 2,003 yards rushing in a season set by OJ Simpson in 1973 with Buffalo. Dickerson needed 379 carries to tie the record, while Barkley had 345 this season.
Meanwhile, the Giants will enter Sunday's game with less to play for than the Eagles, but they will lose a lot in terms of positioning in a win.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. (Photos by Bill Streicher-Imagine)
The Giants were in possession of the NFL's worst record, and the No. 1 overall pick, heading into last week's game against the Indianapolis Colts. But with a 45-33 home win over Indianapolis, the Giants fell to fourth overall.
A win over the Eagles' backups would move the Giants lower in the draft order, where they could fall to ninth overall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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