“So lame!” – Eagles resting Saquon Barkley for final regular season game amid rushing record pursuit sparks mixed reactions on social media
Saquon Barkley is just 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record.
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Saquon Barkley (Image via Open Source)
The Philadelphia Eagles made an announcement that will bother their fanbase and prevent history from being scripted. The team has confirmed that star running back Saquon Barkley will not be playing in their Week 18 matchup against the New York Giants.
This means that Saquon Barkley‘s phenomenal first regular season in Philadelphia will come to an end with 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He will not be able to break Eric Dickerson’s 1984 single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards.
The decision was taken by Head Coach Nick Sirianni who wants to give his workhorse running back plenty of time to rest up so that he can be ready to go once the playoffs start. There was speculation regarding the running back’s availability for this week’s matchup against the Giants.
We’re going to rest some guys, you know we’re locked into that number two seed…(Saquon) he’ll probably be someone that rests.
Nick Sirianni said
While it is unfortunate that fans will have to wait for another eternity to witness Eric Dickerson’s record be broken, this decision is best for the team.
Saquon Barkley ranks eighth in the list of most rushing yards in a single season
Apart from Barkley, the Eagles will rest most of their key starters. The result of this week’s game will not impact their playoff position. The 13-3 team ranks atop the NFC East and the only focus remains to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
After news surfaced that Saquon Barkley would not be allowed to set the record against his former team, fans were disappointed that they were being stripped of the opportunity to witness a four-decade-old record be broken. However, they understood the rationale behind the team’s decision. Here’s how they reacted to it on X:
That’s so lame but I totally get it
— Daniel Levin (@daniellevin118) January 1, 2025
We’ve got bigger aspirations than individual accolades.
— That Hurts (@That_Hurts) January 1, 2025
Right move, and I’m sure he’d agree.
If it was Jalen hurts record they would’ve ran that man until he broke it …… GIVE Saquon the chance to break the record .. Gms are greedy man
— LastDakBeliever (@native_ace) January 1, 2025
Not playing him is a good idea injury wise but he would broke record in first half‼️ #ZELENA
— JevonCarterSzn2 (@CarterSzn2) January 1, 2025
If it’s that close to breaking the record, let the man play and break it!
— Chill NFL Guy (@ChillNFLGuy) January 1, 2025
rest is more important, sucks he didn’t have the chance tho.
— Barkley Super Bowl LIX MVP (@BarkleysBurner_) January 1, 2025
Good move! He’s earned it
— Hockey Barn Review (@hockeybarn_) January 1, 2025
Would have loved to see Saquon Barkley go for the record, but sitting is the best decision. They have a Super Bowl to win.
— TIN Sports (@TrendInfoNow) January 1, 2025
not mad at em u tryna win a bigger prize !
— Man (@ManGotEm) January 1, 2025
That record is mid anyway
— Bandwagon Sports (@BandwagonSp0rts) January 1, 2025
The correct call, but it would be an all time fuck you to break the record vs his old team
— Alex ✭ (@SmoothAlex24) January 1, 2025
He leads the NFL in carries with 345, he needs some rest.
— The GOAT ? (@TheG0ATPlays) January 1, 2025
Saquon Barkley’s 2,005 yards puts him at number eight in the list of running backs with the most rushing yards in a single season. He is 22 yards shy of Derrick Henry’s 2020 record of 2,027 yards. The running back understands the team’s success matters more than individual accolades.
He had said earlier that he would be content with Nick Sirianni’s decision. To watch him break this record against the Giants would have been cinematic but alas, it will not happen.
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Sumedh Joshi
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