Saquon Barkley and family unhappy with Eagles for giving him a chance to break NFL rushing record
Saquon Barkley discussed the team’s decision to rest him in the final game of the season, which resulted in him missing a chance to break the NFL’s single-season rushing record.
The Philadelphia Eagles star told reporters on Wednesday that he was “frustrated” by head coach Nick Sirianni’s decision not to play him in Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Barkley said he discussed the decision with Sirani after last Sunday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys and wasn’t that eager at the time, but became more committed to setting the record after getting some sleep.
Now, he won’t get that chance again, and isn’t sure if he ever will.
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November 14, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs past the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field The defensive player of the official team completed a 39-yard touchdown. (Eric Hartline – Image)
“He asked me if I wanted to play and I said, Sunday, I probably wouldn’t care too much about it. When I slept on it, it was like, this is an opportunity to put my name in it.” Football history , I may never get another chance like this, so I’m frustrated, but at the end of the day, I don’t care if we put the team at risk.
Buckley said he also told his family about the situation and that they wanted him to break the record more than he did.
“Obviously, I told my family. My family probably wanted it more than I did,” Buckley said.
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November 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs off the field after a victory over the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline – Image)
Still, Barkley accepted the decision and became more dedicated to helping his team win in the playoffs.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing is winning football games and winning playoff games, and I have a bigger goal in mind,” Barkley said.
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Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles watches before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on December 29, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Barkley has 2,005 rushing yards this year, 100 yards shy of Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing yard record. In 1984, Dickerson threw for a record 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams.
In 1984, Dixon rushed for 100 yards 12 times, breaking O.J. Simpson’s single-season rushing record of 2,003 yards set in 1973 for Buffalo. Dickerson needs 379 carries to set the record, while Barkley has 345 this season.
Barkley signed a three-year contract with the Eagles with $26 million guaranteed and a total of $37.75 million, making him the highest-paid running back in team history.
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