Eric Dickerson Says He Wanted Saquon Barkley to Play Week 18 amid Record Chase

Andrew PetersJanuary 7, 2025

Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Though Eric Dickerson said he didn’t want Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley to break his single-season rushing yards record, he hoped to see Barkley at least get the chance to do so last week.

On the Let’s Go! podcast, Dickerson said he talked to Barkley on the phone and he congratulated him for getting to 2,000 yards. He also said he would have liked to see Barkley go for the record in Week 18.

“I told him I would have liked to see him play at least to half to see if he had a chance to get it, but I understand the most important thing is winning the Super Bowl, it’s not about records,” Dickerson said.

Barkley ended the season with 2,005 rushing yards, a tremendous feat but ultimately 100 yards shy of the number Dickerson achieved in 1984. He likely could have got to 2,105 yards in the Eagles final game of the year, but Philadelphia kept him off the field to ensure full health heading into the playoffs.

During their phone conversation, Dickerson reminded Barkley that football is about much more than records.

“I told him I’d trade that 2,000 yards for a Super Bowl in a heartbeat,” Dickerson said. “That’s a no-brainer. Football is the ultimate team sport, it’s not about the individual. If you get some records along the way, that’s fine.”

Barkley will begin his quest for his first Super Bowl on Sunday when the Eagles take on the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round. Barkley has had the best season of his career, and he can make it even better with a championship.