Rex Ryan wants Eagles to rest Saquon Barkley instead of prioritizing his pursuit of Eric Dickerson’s rushing record
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley became the ninth player to register 2000 rushing yards in a season.
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Saquon Barkley is projected to break the single-season rushing yards record set by Eric Dickerson. (Image via The New Yorker/Yahoo Sports/Hogs Haven)
In an episode of Get Up, Rex Ryan stated that he believes the Eagles shouldn’t risk Saquon Barkley getting injured in the final game of the season, especially with the playoffs approaching. Barkley, currently at 2,005 rushing yards, is just 101 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record.
The next Sunday’s matchup against the struggling New York Giants offers the perfect opportunity for him to make history but Ryan prioritizes the team’s postseason aspirations over the record chase.
If Saquon Barkley rushes for just over 100 yards in the season finale—an achievable feat against a team that has struggled to defend the run—it would cap off a perfect revenge tour. The moment would especially be poetic, as it was the NY Giants who traded him during the offseason.
Former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan noted that although he wishes that Barkley gets to break Eric Dickerson’s rushing record, but Eagles’ playoff aspirations are more important. Ryan believes that the Philadelphia Eagles are set to make a deep run and Barkley is central to the playoff aspirations of the Eagles.
The hell with it, I want him to get the record but there’s no way in heck they’re going to [play him]. There’s no chance, you can’t. Your team is set to make a deep run, it has as good a chance as anybody of winning a Super Bowl ring. You’re not going to play this young man. I would love to see him stick it to the Giants, are you kidding me? But, no. The right move is to sit him, to rest him and….get everybody rest for a deep playoff run.
Ryan said.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has become the ninth player in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a single season. He achieved this remarkable milestone with 31 carries for 167 yards during the team’s commanding victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Rex Ryan says he would rest Saquon Barkley instead of prioritizing his pursuit of Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record ? pic.twitter.com/QNDJhyQ03B
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 30, 2024
Barkley has recorded at least 107 rushing yards in six of his last seven games, an impressive achievement for a player in his debut season with the team. Additionally, the Pro Bowl running back set both the Eagles’ single-game rushing yards record and his career-best in a 37-20 triumph over the Los Angeles Rams.
Eagles HC Nick Sirianni is silent about whether Saquon Barkley plays against New York Giants
In Week 7, Saquon Barkley rushed for 176 yards against his former team and has averaged an impressive 158.5 rushing yards per game over the past two weeks, despite being taken out early in the fourth quarter during the matchup against Dallas.
Notably, Barkley recorded 109 rushing yards in the first quarter alone against the Commanders in Week 16. Facing New York’s 31st-ranked run defense, he is well-positioned to comfortably surpass the 100-yard mark once again.
On Monday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni addressed the media but declined to confirm whether Saquon Barkley will play in the team’s season finale against the New York Giants on Sunday.
Still not there. I gave the players off today. They’ll be back in a couple days, or by the next time I talk to [the media], they’ll be back in. I’ll always inform them before I inform anybody else.
Sirianni said.
Saquon Barkley expressed that while he isn’t actively chasing the milestone, he isn’t shying away from it either. He acknowledged that breaking records would be meaningful but emphasized that the team’s larger goals take precedence. Whether he plays or rests in the season finale, Barkley is content, stating that his focus is on contributing to something special with the team rather than individual achievements.
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Mohammed Bazim
(399 Articles Published)