Nick Sirianni‘s decision to rest Saquon Barkley in the Philadelphia Eagles‘ finale has sparked controversy, as it could prevent the star running back from earning a lucrative incentive written into his contract.
Barkley enters Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season just 87 yards shy of a $250,000 bonus that activates if he reaches 1,500 combined rushing and receiving yards during the regular season.
Through 16 games, Barkley has posted 1,140 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, while adding 273 receiving yards and two scores through the air.
That production places the three-time Pro Bowler within striking distance of the incentive, making Sunday’s matchup against Washington his final opportunity to cash in.
But Philadelphia has already clinched the NFC East title and secured a playoff berth and with postseason goals now the priority, Sirianni announced the team will rest multiple starters to reduce injury risk ahead of the playoffs.
The move also includes quarterback Jalen Hurts, signaling a broader strategy focused on health rather than individual milestones.
For Barkley, however, the decision comes with real financial consequences, as sitting out eliminates his chance to reach the yardage threshold organically and the situation has drawn attention because the incentive gap is relatively small and reachable.
Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles in March 2024 after spending his first six NFL seasons with the New York Giants, and immediately won the Super Bowl at the first time of asking with the victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite Sirianni‘s stance, the Eagles still have the option to adjust Barkley‘s contract incentives internally, a step they have taken before.
Last season, Philadelphia modified a sack incentive for defensive end Josh Sweat, allowing him to be paid despite narrowly missing the original benchmark.
That precedent has fueled speculation that the front office could intervene to ensure Barkley receives the $250,000 bonus.
Such adjustments are permitted under NFL rules, provided the team voluntarily agrees to honor the incentive without altering competitive integrity.
Philadelphia‘s matchup against Washington will kick off at 16:25 ET/13:25 PT on CBS, though it will carry far less intrigue without many starters.
Whether the Eagles choose to compensate Barkley after the fact may ultimately define how this decision is remembered.
Eagles legend dead: What did Billy Ray Barnes die of?
Philadelphia Eagles great Billy Ray Barnes has died at the age of 90, marking the loss of a key contributor to one of the most celebrated chapters in franchise history.
Barnes spent five seasons with Philadelphia and played a central role in the team’s 1960 NFL Championship, the first title in Eagles history.
His death was confirmed by his daughter, Billi Barnes Akins, who said the former halfback passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on Wednesday, December 31.
“He was 90 and had a fabulous life,” Akins said. “One of the things that he loved about the Eagles is in that championship game, they were the underdogs.
“Dad always liked being the underdog. He said it made him tougher, made him stronger, made him play harder.
“He said the only thing that allowed them to win was their team. They were a team that was really tight and believed in each other.”
Drafted by the Eagles in the second round in 1957, Barnes quickly emerged as one of the league’s top backs during his early professional seasons.
He earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his first three years with Philadelphia, becoming a consistent offensive weapon during a pivotal era.
In the 1960 championship game against the Green Bay Packers, Barnes carried the ball 13 times for 42 yards and added a crucial 13-yard reception.
That catch came on the game-winning drive, helping secure the Eagles‘ historic victory over Vince Lombardi‘s Packers.
“He never realized how people thought of these guys as the greatest ever,” Akins said. “People you wouldn’t even know would just call him and reach out to him.
“The biggest thing was the friendships that he had made there. They were lifelong. He talked to a bunch of guys on the phone for years.
“He enjoyed everything about Philadelphia.”
