It was clear from the start that Sunday’s game against the Giants meant something special to Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.

After all, it was his return game against his former team, and the MetLife Stadium crowd loudly booed him before the game. So it’s no surprise that Barkley had a special day, rushing for 176 yards and a touchdown. But he did not at all strive to chase personal praise.

That much was clear from some of the microphone-recorded footage the Eagles shared Monday.

As the Eagles beat the Giants late, head coach Nick Sirianni told Barkley he was just 13 yards short of his career-high single-game rushing record. Knowing how great it would probably be to put up such a record against his former team, Sirianni gave Barkley the opportunity to stay in the game. However, Barkley couldn’t have had a classier answer.

Saquon Barkley wanted young guys to play, not strive for his record. What a teammate. @sakuon | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/tJi8waO7MY

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 21, 2024

Barkley told his head coach that he would rather see young players and backups get an opportunity than have him chase that record. Sirianni asked if he was sure – that he would let him play if he wanted – and Barkley again said he wanted to see his teammates eat.

This meant rookie Will Shipley was able to get the first eight carries of his NFL career. Barkley knew the team’s goal outweighed hitting a career high in one game, and it was cool for him to say that in that moment.