Jason Kelce can understand why the Philadelphia Eagles rested running back Saquon Barkley, missing out on a chance to set the NFL’s single-season rushing record.
Barkley came within 101 yards of breaking Eric Dickerson’s record, set in 1984. But with the Eagles already locked into the NFC’s No. 2 seed entering Week 18, Barkley sat out against the New York Giants.
Travis Kelce said during a recent episode of “New Heights” that people don’t realize how difficult it is to run 100 yards in the NFL, suggesting he might not have done it if he had played. But Jason was confident that Barkley would have done it.
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Former NFL player and ESPN commentator Jason Kelce on the sidelines during a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Denny Medley/Image Images)
“Yeah, I would’ve made it. The New York Giants, Trav. I would’ve blown that thing out the door,” Jason said.
“Did he want Barkley to go for the record? You’re absolutely right. I think it would have been amazing to see it happen.”
Travis questioned what the purpose would be in going for the record and risking injury in a meaningless game before the playoffs.
“Because it’s a fucking rushed record. Why wouldn’t I want to see that happen!” Jason responded emphatically.
“But I think it’s the right decision not to play with him.”
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half on Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Travis later said that Barkley’s record would have required an asterisk because he would have surpassed it in 17 games, while Dickerson did it in 16 games. But Jason responded that if Barkley had done it, there wouldn’t be an asterisk.
“If he had the same amount of carries that Dickerson would have had in 16 games, he would have set the record there too. And we don’t put an asterisk next to Dickerson, who broke OJ Simpson’s record in 14 games or whatever it was. , he broke Jim Brown’s at 12 or whatever, just, man, I think the rushing record is incredible, but I think it’s obviously the right decision,” Jason said.
Barkley has 345 carries this season, while Dickerson had 379 in his record-breaking season.
The former Eagles center said the risk wasn’t worth the reward. If Barkley or one of the Eagles’ offensive linemen were to get injured and miss the playoffs chasing a record in a meaningless game, it would hurt a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Kelce mentioned how cool it would have been for Barkley to have the opportunity to break the record against his old team.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley speaks to reporters after a game against the Dallas Cowboys on December 29, 2024 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
“You’re the baddest guy in the NFL if you have that statistic, and he had a chance to set that record. He had a chance to do it in the city of Philadelphia for the Eagles. He had a chance to do it against a team that literally didn’t pay , didn’t value him, they let him go, and a group of fans burned his jersey right at the beginning of that year,” Jason said.
“This could have been an all-time story, a historic moment in the NFL. So yeah, I would have loved to see it, but it’s the right decision. It’s the right decision. I want to emphasize that.”
The Eagles will face the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers at home at 4:30 pm ET on Sunday on FOX with a rested Barkley.
