Eric Dickerson on Saquon Barkley breaking his record: ‘Absolutely not’

Barkley closing in on NFL rushing record.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is on the brink of making history, just 268 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s 1984 single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards. With two games left in the Eagles’ schedule, Barkley has a chance to surpass the mark, but Dickerson remains skeptical.

“I don’t think he’ll break it,” Dickerson told The Los Angeles Times. “Do I want him to break it? Absolutely not.”

Barkley’s current stats and path to the record

Barkley has already racked up 1,838 rushing yards this season, averaging 122.5 yards per game with 5.9 yards per carry. To break the record, he needs to average 133.5 yards across his final two games against the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. Barkley has surpassed that mark in six of his 15 games this season, making the feat challenging but achievable.

Eric Dickerson doesn’t want Saquon Barkley to break his rushing record: https://t.co/qFGnfCdOos pic.twitter.com/87ZHkquL6O
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 27, 2024

With Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts sidelined due to a concussion, the team may lean heavily on Barkley to lead the ground game. However, Dickerson notes that Barkley’s attempt comes with an advantage he didn’t have — an extra game.

“He had 17 games to do it? Hey, football is football. That’s the way I look at it,” Dickerson said.

The exclusive 2,000-yard club

Even if Barkley falls short of the record, he could still join the elite group of NFL running backs who have surpassed 2,000 yards in a season. The list includes:

Eric Dickerson: 2,105 (1984)
Adrian Peterson: 2,097 (2012)
Jamal Lewis: 2,066 (2003)
Barry Sanders: 2,053 (1997)
Derrick Henry: 2,027 (2020)
Terrell Davis: 2,008 (1998)
Chris Johnson: 2,006 (2009)
O.J. Simpson: 2,003 (1973)

Simpson remains the only player to achieve the milestone in a 14-game season, while Dickerson surpassed 2,000 yards in 15 games.

A poetic twist

Barkley’s Week 18 matchup against the Giants adds an ironic subplot. Released by New York before the 2024 season, Barkley could break the record against the team that let him go.

“How ironic would it be for him to break the record on them, the team that let him go,” Dickerson remarked. “A true slap in the face.”

Damn: NFL legend Eric Dickerson does NOT want Saquon Barkley to break his rushing record:

"I don't think he'll [Saquon] break it. If he breaks it, he breaks it. Do I want him to break it? Absolutely not."

😳😳😳

Barkley needs 268 yards in the final two games. pic.twitter.com/ueyahVpTes
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 27, 2024

Barkley’s first season in Eagles green has been remarkable. He’s already rushed for 526 yards more than his previous career high and has the third-best odds to win MVP, according to BetMGM. He’s recorded over 100 rushing yards in 10 games this season and scored multiple touchdowns in six.

The challenge ahead

Against Dallas in Week 17, Barkley faces a defense likely to focus heavily on stopping the run, especially with Hurts unavailable. However, Barkley’s consistency and explosive plays, including four touchdowns of 60 yards or longer this season, have made him a tough player to contain.

Whether Barkley breaks the record or not, his 2024 campaign has cemented his status as one of the league’s premier running backs. But as Dickerson aptly put it, “football is football.”

Image: Imagn Image

Eric Dickerson

Saquon Barkley

Natasha Bose

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