Eagles Face Tough Decision: Saquon Barkley’s Historic Chase or Super Bowl Readiness?
The Philadelphia Eagles, under head coach Nick Sirianni, are poised for a strong playoff push after a dominant 13-3 record heading into Week 18. With their eyes firmly set on a Super Bowl victory, Sirianni faces a unique dilemma:
should he prioritize Saquon Barkley’s pursuit of the single-season rushing record or prioritize rest for the star running back ahead of the playoffs?
Barkley is just 100 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s long-standing record of 2,105 rushing yards in a single season. Despite his historic performance this year, including 13 touchdowns and nine games with over 100 rushing yards, Barkley remains focused on the team’s success.
“I didn’t sign here just to rush for 2,000 yards or break a record. I want to do something special with the team,” Barkley said, leaving the decision to Sirianni.
The Eagles are heavy favorites in their Week 18 matchup against the 3-13 Giants, a game with minimal stakes for playoff positioning. Resting Barkley could provide him with up to 11 days to recover, but playing him risks injury in a game that may not impact their postseason path.
Sirianni acknowledged the complexity of the situation: “We’ll do what’s right for the football team to reach our goals. I’ll think about it tonight.”
Fans are divided. Some want to see Barkley make history, while others prioritize the ultimate goal: the Eagles’ first Super Bowl victory since 2017.
With the playoffs looming, Sirianni’s decision could set the tone for the Eagles’ postseason run—and determine if Barkley etches his name in the record books.