PHILADELPHIA — If Eagles Running back Saquon Barkley continued to play during the fourth quarter of their 28-3 win over the New York Giants on Sunday, his teammates and coaches reportedly supporting him.
Early in the fourth quarter, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni pulled his offensive starters from the game and put in the replacements. Before taking his starters off the field, Sirianni told Barkley he could stay in the game to break up his unique game. rushing record (189 yards) that he set in 2019 against Washington. Barkley needed just 14 more yards to pass that number, but he politely declined Sirianni’s offer to continue playing.
“I prefer to see young boys eating. » Barkley tells Sirianni.
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Will Shipley, who the Eagles drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, was one of the “young guys” Barkley was referring to. Shipley said Barkley’s decision “meant everything to him” and was not a surprise. During the first seven months of his professional career, he considered Barkley a mentor and learned a lot from him.
“I’m very grateful for (Saquon) and who he is as a person and who he is as a leader,” Shipley told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday. “He is selfless. He knows he will have another opportunity to break this record. My first races in the NFL were not without him. I will always be grateful for this situation and scenario.
Barkley, who signed a three-year contract with the Eagles in March, has become one of the team’s top leaders. He helped many young players, including Shipley, adjust to the NFL.
After practice, Shipley works on pass protection with Barkley. He appreciates everything Barkley has done for him, including buying him gloves and hats. Barkley also taught Shipley some important lessons off the field.
“You get a lot of notoriety (in the NFL),” Shipley said. “People might know your name or your face a little bit, especially when you’re in their shoes. Just hear about his experiences, what he’s been through, anything he’s willing to share and always listen and be able to learn from it. I hope I can be in his shoes heading into seventh grade in a few years and help a rookie like he helped me.
During his six-year tenure with the Giants, Barkley made two Pro Bowls and won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018. This season, Barkley proved that he is still one of the best running backs of ball in the league, finishing third. yards (658) over seven weeks. He wanted to be a “giant for life,” but the two sides never agreed to a long-term extension.
Barkley finished with 176 rushing yards and a touchdown in his first game against the Giants. Had he played the entire fourth quarter, Barkley could have finished with over 200 yards and scored a few more touchdowns.
Eagles center Nick Gates, who played five years (2018-2022) with Barkley on the Giants, noted that Barkley put aside his personal feelings to help his teammates at the end of the Giants game.
“We had a lot of moments in New York, but this is probably my favorite thing that I saw him do and heard him say,” Gates said of Barkley’s interaction with Sirianni . “It’s great. I get chills thinking about it. But it’s up to him to decide, “No, I don’t want to do it,” especially against his old team who kind of screwed him over and didn’t really want him. He certainly could have done it. But that’s just him showing his leadership.
During the Eagles’ Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns, rookie wide receiver Johnny Wilson said Barkley called off some plays to make sure his other teammates were able to make plays.
“He’s not tired. It’s like, “Okay, let’s give Saquon a break.” “But he could stay if he wanted to,” Wilson said. “But at the end of the day, he’s selfless. He said, ‘Okay, let Kenny (Gainwell) get in there and make his plays.’ … He’s just a great player. He knows it too. So it’s like, “Let me help the kids shine a little bit.” »
Barkley takes on a bigger leadership role each week. His decision not to play most of the fourth quarter against the Giants inspired Shipley and other teammates. His words also motivated them.
“I would say he’s also improved a lot as a vocal leader,” Shipley said. “He intervenes where he needs to be. He kind of feels that. He’s done a great job helping us get where we need to go.
“Whenever a situation arises. If things aren’t going our way or we’re not playing to our standards in practice, he’ll come out and say something, whether it’s just to me, to the back room, to the whole team. offensively and to the entire team. Ultimately, he’s a great leader. He knows when to insert himself and when not to overexert himself. This is also what makes it so special.
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Cayden Steele can be contacted at [email protected]
