Saquon Barkley will not play against the Giants, sacrificing a chance to break the NFL rushing record
The Philadelphia Eagles are preparing to turn down the chance to let Saquon Barkley sit out one NFL season rushing record.
Head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters Wednesday that the team will rest several key players in the season finale against New York Giants — Barkley’s former team. The Eagles are already tied for the No. 2 seed in the upcoming NFC playoffs and have nothing to gain by winning.
Barkley, with 2,005 rushing yards this year, is 100 shy of Eric Dickerson’s record for most rushing yards in a season. But the team will opt to prevent injury risk rather than head towards 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 obvious 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 a 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 the 12-game stretch — where Barkley added to his NFL-high 345 carries — also played a role in Sirianni giving the starters a week off before the Eagles begin the playoffs at home.
“It wasn’t the easiest decision to make,” Sirianni said. “We have great people in this building and we’ve had a lot of input from a lot of different people, including the players.”
Barkley also said he will prioritize the team’s success over breaking records.
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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, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
“I came here to do something special, and obviously breaking the record is special,” Barkley said after the Eagles clinched the division. “But I want the banner up there. I think we all want it. But with that, we gave ourselves a chance 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 Wednesday and could not 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 injured ribs. Third-string QB Tanner McKee threw a pair of touchdown passes while putting the finishing touches on the Cowboys’ loss.
“At the end of the day, I had to make a decision about what I thought was best,” Sirianni said.
After he ran 167 meters in Sunday’s win against Dallas — Barkley, 27, said he wanted the record but would do what was best for the team, even if it meant sitting out the final game of the regular season.
“You rest, and that’s fine with me, because I didn’t come here and sign just to rush for 2,000 or break the record,” Barkley said Sunday. “I want to do something special, which means special with the team.”
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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 total, making him the highest-paid running back in franchise history.
The decision also ended the argument that Barkley would have set the record for the 17th extra game that Dickerson missed in 1984.
In 1984, Dickerson topped 100 yards rushing 12 times to break OJ Simpson’s 1973 record with Buffalo of 2,003 rushing yards in a season. Dickerson needed 379 carries to set the record, while Barkley had 345 carries this season.
Meanwhile, the Giants will enter Sunday’s game with even less to play for than the Eagles, but a lot more to lose in terms of draft positioning with a win.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. (Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
The Giants were in sole possession of the NFL’s worst record and the No. 1 pick before last week’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. But with a 45-33 home win over Indianapolis, the Giants dropped to fourth overall.
A win over the Eagles’ backups would drop the Giants even further down the draft order, as they could fall as low as No. 9 overall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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