On Sunday, Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley made his former team regret letting him go in free agency. But given the opportunity to break his own personal rushing yards record, Barkley instead opted to give his young teammates an opportunity to shine.
Barkley finished Sunday’s game against the New York Giants with 176 rushing yards, just 13 yards shy of his career high. The former Giants star had a chance to break that record, as well, since he got to 176 near the end of the third quarter.
However, the game was well in hands for the Eagles, which led to Barkley sitting out the remainder of the game.
What viewers watching the game in real-time didn’t know is that the decision not to go back into the game came from Barkley.
On Monday night, the Eagles’ social media team posted a video on X showing a mic’d up Barkley having a conversation with Nick Sirianni. Sirianni wanted Barkley to get the record, but Barkley urged him to “play the young guys” instead.
“You’re 13 yards away from your career high,” Sirianni said to Barkley. “I would love for you to get that. But that’s up to you.”
“It’s all good,” Barkley responded.
“I’m gonna take out all of the starters if they don’t score,” said Sirianni.
“It’s all good, let them eat,” said Barkley.
“Now listen to me. I want you to do it if you want to do it,” Sirianni asked one last time.
“It’s all good. I would rather let the young boys eat,” Barkley again said.
Saquon Barkley wanted the young guys to play instead of going for his record. What a teammate. @saquon | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/tJi8waO7MY
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 21, 2024
The Eagles knew they were getting an All-Pro caliber player when they decided to sign Barkley this past offseason. But clearly, they also got someone who is as much of a team player as they could have asked for.
