When the microphone is on, Saquon Barkley tells Nick Sirianni to “play with the young guys” instead of setting a personal best.

Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley made his former team regret letting him go in free agency on Sunday. But given the opportunity to break his personal speed record, Barkley instead decided to give his young teammates a chance to shine.

Barkley finished Sunday’s game against the New York Giants with 176 yards, just 13 yards shy of his career high. The former Giants star also had a chance to break that record as he scored 176 points near the end of the third quarter.

However, the game was in the hands of the Eagles, causing Barkley to miss the rest of the game.

What spectators watching the game in real time didn’t know was that the decision not to return to the game was made by Barkley.

On Monday night, the Eagles’ social media team posted a video on X that showed Barkley talking to Nick Sirianni on a microphone. Sirianni wanted Barkley to get the record, but Barkley advised him to “play with the young guys” instead.

“You’re 13 yards away from your career high,” Sirianni told Barkley. “I would really like you to have this. But it’s up to you.”

“Everything is fine,” Barkley replied.

“I will destroy all the starters if they don’t score,” Sirianni said.

“It’s okay, let them eat,” Barkley said.

“Now listen to me. “I want you to do this if you want,” Sirianni asked one last time.

“Everything is fine. I’d rather let the boys eat,” Barkley said again.

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

Last offseason, the Eagles knew they were getting an All-Pro caliber player when they decided to sign Barkley. But it’s clear they also have someone who is as much of a team player as they could imagine.

(Philadelphia Eagles on X)