The Philadelphia Eagles will rest Saquon Barkley in their regular season finale against the New York Giants, passing on his chance to break Eric Dickerson's 40-year-old rushing record, head coach Nick Sirianni announced. Barkley sits just 100 yards shy of Dickerson's mark of 2,105 yards.
"He stands more to lose than to gain," Eagles legend Jason Kelce said on the debut episode of his new show, They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce. "I think that they have unfinished business. I think that the whole team, the whole city, everybody stands a legitimate chance of winning the Super Bowl this year."
Barkley has amassed 2,005 rushing yards through 16 games, leading the NFL in both carries (345) and rushing yards while scoring 13 touchdowns on the ground. His historic season includes 11 100-yard rushing games and 17 runs of 20-plus yards, transforming the Eagles' already potent offense into an unstoppable force.
Former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger, who played alongside Dickerson, expressed mixed feelings about the decision. "This is a record that has been out there since 1984. Nobody has come close to that 2,105. And Saquon is 101 yards away. I would want that as a feather in my cap," Baldinger said, while acknowledging the inherent risks.
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley supported resting the star running back, stating, "I think the Eagles are the favorites to win the Super Bowl."
Rapper Dave Burd (Lil Dicky) echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the broader implications: "It's not just playing Saquon. It's the whole domino effect of having to play the entire starting line."
Beyond his rushing prowess, Barkley has contributed significantly to the passing game, adding 33 receptions for 278 yards and two touchdowns. The Penn State product's consistency has provided Philadelphia with a reliable offensive foundation throughout the season.
Having secured the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, the Eagles' decision to rest Barkley prioritizes their Super Bowl aspirations over individual records, even as his remarkable season has already etched his name in team history.
