When it comes to the NFL, nothing’s ever guaranteed — especially when the football gods don’t make the calls. Philadelphia Eagles legend weighed in on the buzz surrounding Saquon Barkley and Eric Dickerson’s long-standing record.
While Barkley’s season has been pretty amazing, the question is whether he will get the chance to chase down the elusive 2,105-yard record.
LeSean McCoy Says ‘Nothing Is Guaranteed’ as Saquon Barkley Misses Shot at Record
“Nothing is guaranteed” — that’s the message Eagles legend LeSean “Shady” McCoy dropped when discussing Barkley’s shot at breaking Dickerson’s single-season rushing record.
On FS1’s “The Facility,” McCoy showcased the rarity of reaching 2,000 yards. “Out of the nine guys that have 2,000 yards [in a season], only five of them has over 10,000 [career] yards,” he pointed out.
His message? Getting to 2,000 yards is no small feat, but sustaining the very greatness is harder.
“All these dudes that got 2,000 yards, only — what? — five of them got over 10,000. So, it lets you know that nothing is guaranteed,” the former RB alluded.
.@CutonDime25 wanted Saquon to be in the history books forever because nothing is guaranteed 👀 pic.twitter.com/0ownCU02nD
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) January 2, 2025
McCoy’s remarks came after the Eagles decided to rest Barkley, preventing him from chasing down Dickerson’s record.
The decision sparked mixed emotions, with Barkley prioritizing team success but also dealing with the sting of a missed opportunity. While McCoy’s take underscores the difficulty of hitting milestones, it also reminds us that, in the NFL, guarantees are few and far between.
Meanwhile, his family and supporters share their thoughts on the bittersweet moment.
Barkley Reflects on Missed Record Opportunity, Family Reacts to Decision
Barkley was “down” after the Eagles decided to rest him in the final game, squashing his chance at breaking the NFL single-season rushing record.
The decision hit harder as Barkley had been within striking distance of the milestone, needing just one more big performance against the New York Giants to surpass the legendary Dickerson’s record.
Barkley revealed his mixed feelings during an interview, explaining that when head coach Nick Sirianni initially asked him about playing for the record, he wasn’t keen. However, after reflecting, Barkley admitted, “It’s an opportunity to implant my name in football history. [I] may never get another opportunity like that again.”
Saquon on not going for the all-time single season rushing record:
“It was an opportunity to imprint my name in football history. Might not ever get an opportunity like that again…but at the end of the day I don’t care for putting the team at risk.” pic.twitter.com/IIa36Jh7eL
— Devan Kaney (@Devan_Kaney) January 1, 2025
His family, especially his father, was also deeply invested in the idea of breaking the record. Barkley shared, “My family probably wanted it a little bit more than me,” with his father taking the news hardest.
Despite the disappointment, Barkley’s focus remained on the team’s playoff aspirations. As much as the individual achievement meant to him, the team’s success was paramount.
Barkley’s honesty and his family’s emotional reaction show how rare moments like these are in the NFL. While records come and go, putting the team first ultimately defines great players.