It is one of the most prized records in the NFL. In 1984, Eric Dickerson, then running back for the Rams, set the record for the most rushing yards in a season with 2,105 and surpassed none other than O.J. Simpson. Since then, the closest anyone has come to breaking it was Adrian Peterson of the Vikings, who reached 2,097 yards during the regular season in 2012.
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It seemed like in 2024 the record would finally be surpassed, as Saquon Barkley of the Eagles has 2,005 yards after becoming the ninth player in history to surpass the 2,000-yard mark, and he is just 101 yards away from surpassing Dickerson. Considering that this Sunday the Philadelphia team closes the regular season at home against the mediocre New York Giants, the goal seemed more than achievable.
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But...this Wednesday, just as the new year began, coach Nick Sirianni announced that Barkley will not play on Sunday.
Why won't the Eagles let Barkley break the historic NFL record?
The Eagles' coach made the final decision, after a couple of conversations with Barkley, players, coaches, and general manager Howie Roseman. The goal is to give the running back a week off and not risk a possible injury to the team's most valuable player ahead of the playoffs where Philadelphia qualified as champions of the NFC East and will immediately play in the first round (for now the challenging Packers appear as their opponent).
Although Sirianni used the word "likely" when he mentioned resting the starters, it is taken for granted that Eric Dickerson will keep his precious record for another season.
What did Barkley say in response to his coach's decision?
"I'm happy I didn't have to make that decision," Barkley said. "Nick made it quite easy for me and I am truly at peace with it."
The running back, who arrived in Philadelphia this season as a free agent after being released by the Giants, confessed that he had a heartfelt conversation with his father that was more marked by sadness than hope about the pursuit of the record. “He definitely wanted me to play,” Barkley said at his locker in a conversation with reporters. “In a selfish way for him, you have to think about it... our last name would have been linked to that. I also see it from that perspective.”
Barkley insisted that he also recovered from the blow, and so did an offensive line that pushed for the star to be close to the record.
"Maybe I'll never have another opportunity like that again," Barkley said. "So, I'm disappointed. But at the end of the day, I don't want to put the team at risk. He's the head coach for a reason. He makes those decisions."
“I didn’t sign here to break Eric Dickerson’s record,” Barkley concluded. “I came here to win a Super Bowl.”