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Analysts weighed in, noting the high stakes involved. If Barkley were to get hurt during a game while chasing the record, the backlash and criticism directed at Sirianni could be severe, overshadowing any accomplishment. The discussion pointed to a historical precedent where teams have rested their star players leading into the playoffs, often at the cost of team morale and potential accolades.
A Legacy in the Making
Barkley continues to build an impressive career, being only the ninth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards. Those who achieve such milestones typically see a significant boost to their Hall of Fame candidacy, and many feel that Barkley will get in eventually, irrespective of whether he breaks this particular record or not.