When fully healthy, it’s hard to argue against there being a more dominant team in the NFL this season than the Philadelphia Eagles. After stumbling out of the gate to a 2-2 start, the Eagles went on to win 10 consecutive games before finally losing to the Washington Commanders after starting quarterback Jalen Hurts exited the game with a concussion.
The engine behind the Eagles’ success this season has been star running back Saquon Barkley.
Barkley has been so great this season that he is only a little over 100 yards shy of breaking the NFL single-season mark for rushing yards in a campaign. With the Eagles having already cemented themselves as the two-seed in the NFC, many were wondering if Philadelphia would deploy Barkley to give him a chance to break the record or rest him to avoid risking injury.
Now, according to one prominent NFL insider, we have the Eagles’ decision.
“The (Eagles) will rest Saquon Barkley and other starters on Sunday vs. the (Giants). Saquon will fall just short of the NFL record for rushing yards,” reported Ari Meirov.
The #Eagles will rest Saquon Barkley and other starters on Sunday vs. the #Giants.
Saquon will fall just short of the NFL record for rushing yards. pic.twitter.com/fq54aNyg13
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 1, 2025
Fans reacted to the brutal news on social media.
“Amazing year for Barkley, but these season records need to be broken in the same number of games as the current record holder to feel legit,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Ive seen this story a million times They rest everyone, only to come out flat and get blown out in the playoffs Ask what happened to the Browns last year,” another fan added.
“I know he wanted to break this record but the playoffs should always be the main focus…Erick Dickerson, as some as he found out Saquon Barkley won’t be playing Sunday to break his record,” one fan added.
“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,” added someone else.
It’s unfortunate that the Eagles aren’t giving Barkley the chance to make history.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.