The Philadelphia Eagles are going to turn down the chance to let Saquon Barkley break the NFL's single-season rushing record.
Head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters Wednesday that the team plans to rest several key players for the season finale against Barkley's former team, the New York Giants. The Eagles are already locked into the No. 2 seed in the upcoming NFC playoffs and have nothing to gain by winning.
Barkley has 2,005 rushing yards this year, 100 yards shy of Eric Dickerson's record for most rushing yards in a season. But teams will likely choose to prevent the risk of injury rather than aiming for a milestone.
Sirianni said he discussed the decision with Barkley in his first season with the Eagles after six years with the Giants.
“I think it's obvious how special this guy is,” Sirianni said.
Sirianni said he would 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 and take control of the district. But Barkley's 12-game stretch with an NFL-high 345 carries was also a factor in Sirianni giving his starters a week off before the Eagles open the playoffs at home.
“This was not an easy decision,” Sirianni said. “We have great people in this building and we got a lot of input from a lot of different people, including the players.”
Coach Barkley also said he prioritizes 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 on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarborough)
“We came here to do something special. Breaking the record is obviously special,” Barkley said after the Eagles clinched the division championship. “But I want the flag there. I think everyone does. But we gave ourselves a chance with it and we were and still are winning the playoffs in the division.”
Barkley should have plenty of company in the starting lineup against the Giants. Hurts was still in the NFL's concussion protocol as of Wednesday and could not practice or play until he was cleared.
Kenny Pickett started for the Eagles last week, running and throwing for a touchdown before leaving with a rib injury. Third-line QB Tanner McKee threw two touchdown passes as the finishing touch in the Cowboys rout.
“At the end of the day, I had to make the decision of what I thought was best,” Sirianni said.
after him ran for 167 yards In Sunday's win over Dallas, Barkley, 27, said he wanted the record but would do what was best for the team, even if it meant missing the final regular-season game.
“Rest, I'm okay with that too, because I didn't come here and sign here just to go for $2,000 or break any records,” Barkley said Sunday. “I want to do something special, something special for 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 on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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 franchise history.
The decision also ended a squeeze in which Barkley would set a record for 17 extra games that Dickerson had failed to achieve in 1984.
In 1984, Dickerson had 12 100-yard rushes, breaking OJ Simpson's 1973 record, which Buffalo had with 2,003 rushing yards in a single season. Dickerson needed 379 carries to set the record, while Barkley had 345 carries this season.
Meanwhile, the Giants enter Sunday's game with even fewer spots than the Eagles, but they have far more to lose in draft position if they win.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, 26, runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field. (Bill Streicher Iman Images)
The Giants had the NFL's worst record and the sole possession of the No. 1 overall pick before last week's game against the Indianapolis Colts. However, the Giants defeated Indianapolis 45-33 at home and fell to the fourth overall pick.
If the Giants win against the Eagles' reserves, they could move further down the draft order, potentially as low as ninth overall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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