Darren Sproles: I Have Two Good Years Left

Darren Sproles. (Jeff Fusco)

A few hours after inking a one-year contract extension that will keep him in Philadelphia through 2017, Darren Sproles said he has two good years left in him. When asked if he plans to retire after his deal ends, the 33-year-old running back smiled, paused and repeated three words.

“We going see,” he said. “We going see.”

Sproles said his contract, which reportedly gives him $4.5 million in new money, “means a lot” because he wants to finish his career as an Eagle. The signing continues the Eagles’ offseason theme of extending players who have been good contributors, after Chip Kelly’s tumultuous tenure of making personnel decisions.

Howie Roseman said the Eagles made the decision now, in part, to continue to emphasize that philosophy to the players. According to Jordan Matthews, the team has taken notice.

“First and foremost, it’s the message that they’ve been sending the whole time: the Eagles are about family,” Matthews said. “If you come here and you do your job, you make plays on the field but you also go and do the things you’re supposed to do off the field and in the locker room, and be the epitome of a Philadelphia Eagle, they’re going to keep you around. And that bodes well for a team, because guys say, ‘Okay, I know that I can keep a job here as long as I go out here and do my job at a high level,’ and that’s what Sproles has been able to do.

“He’s a great role model not just for the running backs, but also for me. When I see him go out there and make plays, I’m like, ‘Shoot, I need to.’ I know Zach [Ertz] looks up to him. It’s crazy. We look up to a guy that comes up to our knees! But he’s a beast, man. He’s a beast. All of us were excited that he was able to sign back with us. He’s a tremendous asset to this team.”

Doug Pederson noted that despite Sproles’ age, the running back is a “freakish athlete” whose workload won’t be limited, at least to start the season. Roseman also praised Sproles’ “tremendous” quickness and acceleration, before emphasizing his ability as a punt returner, the tough matchup he poses in the passing game and his work ethic.

After the Eagles’ spending spree this offseason, the only projected starter on either side of the ball to not have multiple years left on his deal is Bennie Logan. However, Roseman said not to read too much into that.

“We love Bennie Logan. Bennie Logan is a heck of a player and a great person on and off the field,” Roseman said. “He’s someone that we see here. Just because someone doesn’t have a contract right now, doesn’t mean that they’re not in our plans going forward.”