In a jaw-dropping admission that has sent shockwaves through the NFL world, Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson confessed he’s not rooting for Philadelphia Eagles superstar Saquon Barkley to shatter his iconic single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards, a milestone that has stood unchallenged since the glory days of 1984.
Barkley, just 101 yards shy of the record, heads into this Sunday’s high-stakes clash against his former team, the New York Giants. With a chance to etch his name in history, fans are buzzing with anticipation—but Dickerson’s cold-shouldered stance has ignited a fiery debate about the responsibility of sports legends to “pass the torch.”
Eagles cornerback Darius Slay didn’t mince words on his Big Play Slay podcast, calling out Dickerson for what he perceived as unnecessary gatekeeping.
“He was kind of low-key hating on Saquon,” Slay said, as reported by NJ Advance Media. “Records are meant to be broken. Your record’s been standing for so long. Pass the torch! There’s nothing wrong with that. People just be scared to pass it. He sounds like a true hater.”
Slay’s passionate defense of Barkley paints a picture of a modern-day NFL where respect for greatness should transcend generations. His take resonated with fans and players alike, reigniting conversations about how legends should embrace the future stars of the league.
Will Barkley Even Get a Chance?
The burning question now is whether Barkley will even suit up for Sunday’s game. According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, it’s highly unlikely. Speaking on the situation, Schefter expressed skepticism that the Eagles would risk their prized running back with a Super Bowl run on the horizon.
“I’d be floored if Saquon Barkley is on the field this weekend,” Schefter said. The Eagles, locked into the NFC’s No. 2 seed, have little to gain by playing Barkley and everything to lose if he gets injured ahead of the playoffs.
But Slay, ever the competitor, believes Barkley should at least get the chance to take a swing at history, regardless of postseason implications.
“I still respect this game, and I think [Dickerson] is still a great legend, but he shouldn’t have said it like that,” Slay added. “He sounds like a real big-time hater.”
A Record in the Crosshairs—But Safe for Now?
While Barkley’s record-breaking ambitions might be put on ice this season, the conversation Dickerson’s comments have sparked is far from over. The NFL is a league built on evolution, and records are, as Slay aptly noted, “meant to be broken.” Whether Barkley gets his shot this week or in the future, one thing is clear: the torch will eventually pass, whether the “old heads” like it or not.
For now, Dickerson’s mark remains the gold standard. But as the curtain closes on the 2024 regular season, the legend’s controversial stance ensures his name will dominate headlines, at least until another running back rises to the challenge.