In a sterling 2024 campaign, Barkley has now racked up 11 100-yard games and could well be back into the MVP conversation after adding 2,000-yard runner to his résumé. Needing 162 yards in Week 17 to get to 2,000, Barkley ran wild and is also firmly in position to win his first NFL rushing crown.
“At the end of the day, my name would be the one that goes across with 2,000, but like I said, can’t do it without those guys,” Barkley told FOX after the game when asked about the play of his offensive line. “That’s something that we said we wanted to do from the beginning, do something special. They did all the work. I just followed them, and it made me look a lot better.”
Acquired this offseason, Barkley has turned in one of the greatest seasons of all time for a debuting free-agent acquisition. He’s the first 2,000-yard runner to accomplish the feat with his second NFL team. Each of the previous eight ran to the milestone with the team with which they began their careers.
Barkley’s got plenty more yards in front of him, too. Whether he suits up to chase down Dickerson will be among Week 18’s top storylines before he and the Eagles take off into the postseason.
Thanks to the Minnesota Vikings’ victory over the Green Bay Packers in Sunday’s afternoon slate, the Eagles are locked into the No. 2 overall seed in the NFC playoffs, with the ability to potentially rest key players against the New York Giants — Barkley’s former team.
Barkley told reporters he would be OK with whatever decision the coaching staff made for Week 18.
“I’m not overtly trying to get it,” Barkley said of the record. “I’m not scared of it. But we’ve got bigger things we’re focused on. Whether we play next week or rest, I’m fine with that. I didn’t sign here just to break a record. I want to do something special with the team.”