After the Eagles big win over the Giants on Sunday, head coach Nick Sirianni was asked whether they considered keeping Saquon Barkley in the game given he was only 13 rushing yards from a career-high day. Sirianni explained that he spoke to Barkley on the sideline, and left the decision up to the RB. The head coach was effusive in his praise for Barkley, who was fine coming off the field and wanted the other guys to get the carries.
The Eagles released video of that exact moment, and it shows what a great and selfless leader Barkley is, and also how Sirianni takes care of his players.
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
It says a lot about a player who is willing to come off the field just shy of career-high numbers, especially in such a personal game like Barkley’s return against the Giants. It’s the exact kind of mentality they preach in the Eagles’ locker room — being a good teammate not only means letting your brother eat too, but also preserving your health and availability as best you can.
The RB still dominated on Sunday, finishing with 17 carries for 176 yards and one TD, plus 11 more yards on two catches. Even without setting a new career-best, he made a statement and helped propel the Eagles to a 4-2 record.
The video is also a really cool view into how Sirianni interacts with his players. That he gave Barkley the choice, made sure he was comfortable with it, and supported the RB either way is super commendable.
For all the noise surrounding Sirianni lately, he never lost the locker room, and his connection with his players is always highlighted in these more candid moments.
