Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley expressed his disappointment after head coach Nick Sirianni’s decision to rest him in the final game of the season, effectively ending his chance to break the NFL single-season rushing record.
Barkley, who finished the season with 2,005 rushing yards—just 100 shy of Eric Dickerson’s 1984 record—acknowledged feeling “down” about the choice, particularly after realising the historic significance of the milestone.
While he initially agreed with the decision following the Eagles’ win against the Dallas Cowboys, a night’s reflection deepened his desire to etch his name into NFL history.
“I may never get another opportunity like that again,” Barkley lamented, adding that his family was even more eager for him to pursue the record than he was.
Despite his disappointment, Barkley remains focused on the playoffs and his team’s broader goals. With a three-year, $37.75 million deal making him the highest-paid running back in Eagles history, Barkley said he was committed to team success over individual accolades.
“The most important thing is winning football games and winning in the playoffs,” he said.
Barkley’s stellar season, which saw him accumulate 345 carries and multiple standout performances, leaves him optimistic about contributing to a deep postseason run—even if the chance to break Dickerson’s 39-year-old record has slipped away.
