Saquon Barkley was on the verge of creating history this season. He was short one game and around 100 yards from breaking the NFL’s all-time single-season rushing yards record. However, the Eagles decided to rest him for the last game against the Giants, effectively taking away his shot. This has infuriated many football fans and analysts alike, including former TE Shannon Sharpe.
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With their playoff spot secured, the Eagles saw no reason to start Barkley for the final game of the regular season — as is common for teams to do to prevent injury to their star players. However, Unc and Ocho think it was unfair of the team to do so. Sharpe blasted the Eagles for their decision:
“They make it seem like ‘Oh if he played in the final game, he might get dinged up.’ Bro, he could get dinged in the first play of the playoffs…He is a 101 yards away!”
Barkley will conclude the regular season just 101 yards away from surpassing Eric Dickerson’s NFL record of 2,105 rushing yards, a record that hasn’t been broken since 1984. The Eagles would obviously like to look at the bigger picture and prioritize getting to the Super Bowl.
However, Ocho believes the RB could’ve done both: set the record and helped the Eagles get the Lombardi.
Yes, Barkley could’ve made history had he played the last game against the Giants. However, the truth of the matter is that the Eagles are fully focused on securing a championship, and Barkley is their most valuable player in that mission. His impact has been that big throughout the season.
So, it makes sense that the Eagles would prioritize his well-being and team success over the chase for an individual accolade. Although it may feel like Barkley has been robbed of a career milestone, we can all agree that the RB is in a league of his own. And, if he maintains this form, the record is his for the taking. It is just a matter of which season he would eventually crush it.
