Saquon Barkley needs 268 rushing yards in his final two games to become the NFL’s new single-season rushing champion, and the current record holder hopes Barkley falls short of the mark.
Barkley has proven to be the best signing of the offseason after the Philadelphia Eagles signed him to a three-year contract after six seasons with the division rival New York Giants.
Barkley has put himself in the league MVP conversation, averaging 122.5 rushing yards per game and taking the Birds to another level.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Eric Dickerson and Saquon Barkley in action (Image)
Barkley would need to average 134 yards per game over the final two weeks to break the record, a number he has already achieved six times this season.
Eric Dickerson set the record of 2,105 yards in 1984, and the Los Angeles Rams legend admits he wants to remain the king.
2024 NFL ODDS: WILL SAQUON BARKLEY BE THE BEST SINGLE-SEASON RUSHING RECORD?
“I don’t think he’ll break it. But if he breaks it, he breaks it. Do I want him to break it? Absolutely not,” Dickerson told the Los Angeles Times this week. “I don’t mince words about it.”
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley walks to the bench during the second half against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Dickerson set the record in 16 games, so Barkley has one extra contest to break the record. Dickerson doesn’t care too much about that.
“I’m not complaining about that. He had 17 games to do it? Hey, football is football. That’s how I look at it. If you’re lucky enough to get over 2,000 yards and get the record, that’s a great record,” he continued.
Barkley’s most likely chance to break the record will be against his former team, which Dickerson said would be “a real slap in the face.”
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. (Bill Streicher/Image Images)
Barkley is on pace to become the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. The other eight did so in 16-game seasons, including the most recent, Derrick Henry, four years ago.
