Eagles' Saquon Barkley 'At Peace' with Sitting Out amid NFL Rushing Record Pursuit

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley told reporters he is "at peace" with head coach Nick Sirianni's decision to sit him for the team's season finale against the 3-13 New York Giants.

Although Barkley wanted to break the single-season rushing record, he was relieved that the decision was "taken out of his hands."

With a 13-3 record, the Eagles have secured the NFC East title and are locked in the No. 2 seed in the NFC, making Sunday's game irrelevant to their playoff standing.

The 27-year-old running back will finish his season with 2,005 rushing yards, just 101 yards shy of breaking the 2,105-yard record set by Eric Dickerson in 1984.

Instead, he will conclude his debut season with the Eagles with the ninth-most single-season rushing yards in NFL history.

Barkley told reporters that his dad took the news of him sitting out harder than anyone, as he wanted the family name to be associated with the record.

"My family probably wanted it a little bit more than me," Barkley said. "The most important thing is winning football games and winning playoffs. I've got a bigger goal in mind."

Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Eagles during free agency, leaving the Giants after six seasons. The signing was a major move for the playoff-bound Eagles, as Barkley is the leading candidate for NFL Offensive Player of the Year and is also in the running for the NFL MVP award.

In addition to his near-record-breaking 2,005 rushing yards, Barkley has scored 13 touchdowns on 345 carries, while also adding 33 receptions for 278 yards and two touchdowns.