Saquon Barkley’s pursuit of NFL immortality will have to wait, as the Philadelphia Eagles have decided to rest starters in Week 18. In his first season with the team, the running back sits just 101 yards shy of Eric Dickerson’s legendary 1984 single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards.
Tony Dungy Backs Eagles HC Over Tough Saquon Barkley Decision
The Eagles have the No. 2 seed in the NFC locked up, and Sunday’s matchup against the New York Giants offers no incentive for head coach Nick Sirianni to play the starters. Sirianni defended his stance, stating, “It’s a very special record that’s been standing for a very long time by a great player. But you try to do what’s best for the team.”
Sirianni says it wasn't an easy decision: "It's a very special record that's been standing for a very long time by a great player. … But you try to do what's best for the team. When the bye was, how goes are feeling. … Our goals are to have success and play good the next game… https://t.co/HAzqDkrByv
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 1, 2025
2006 Super Bowl-winning head coach with the Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungy, seconded Sirianni’s decision. He addressed frustrated fans on X, tweeting, “Who would be upset if Barkley got injured on his 20th carry in the last preseason game? That’s what’s going through the head coach’s mind.”
For all the fans who are upset at Coach Sirianni for not playing Saquon in this game and letting him go after the rushing record: Please understand this game means as much to the Eagles as the final preseason game. Who is upset when the starters don’t play in that preseason game?… https://t.co/TI2bm99pEO
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) January 2, 2025
Dungy emphasized prioritizing the team’s long-term goals over individual milestones. Barkley also finds himself on the same page as his coach. “Breaking a record is special, but I want a banner up there. I think we all do,” the Eagles RB said. Barkley’s season stats include an NFL-leading 2,005 rushing yards, 345 carries, and 2,283 yards from scrimmage, making him the heart of the Eagles’ offense.
Dickerson, whose record Barkley aims to break, clarified his feelings last week. “Absolutely not!” Dickerson said in an interview on Sunday. “That doesn’t even make sense. Like I told the guy earlier, I don’t want nobody to break my record. These people who say, ‘records are meant to be broken,’ you ain’t got no record. You don’t have one. When you get those records, you want to hang on to them.”
Dickerson’s 1984 record has stood for nearly 40 years. However, fans remain divided, with some supporting Sirianni’s choice to prioritize postseason health and others lamenting the missed opportunity for Barkley to rewrite history.
The 101 yards that Barkley needs, he’s very much capable of if given the chance, having rushed more than that in 11 games this season. However, Sirianni’s decision seems final and Dickerson’s legacy will remain intact for at least another year.
While the record may remain out of reach for now, Barkley’s focus on team success over personal glory could lead to a bigger prize — a Super Bowl banner in Philadelphia.