Eagles RB Miles Sanders says he still has a lot to prove: ‘I’m taking it real personal this year’

Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders is headed into his fourth NFL season, which means, as a former second-round pick, he’s eligible for a contract extension. Through those three seasons, Sanders has been an effective back, but does not feel he has shown all he can be just yet. 

“I’ve still got a lot to prove,” Sanders said, per Pro Football Network. “A lot of people don’t respect all the work I’ve done, and I’ve still got a lot to prove. I’m taking it real personal this year. Just find a way to get noticed and command the respect, I’m not taking no for an answer this year. Just stay healthy, just be available, that’s my main goal this year.”

Sanders has missed nine of Philadelphia’s 33 games over the past two seasons, but when healthy he has averaged 5.4 yards per carry. Still, the Eagles — through two different coaching staffs — have largely utilized Sanders as a committee back, having him split work with players like Jordan Howard, Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell, and more. (He’s totaled more than 15 carries in only nine of his 40 career games, and played less than 50% of snaps in 15 of 40.)

Sanders, though, wants to prove he’s worthy of more investment than that, both in terms of workload and dollars. 

“I want to be the best. That’s what I train to be,” he said. “I want to be the best, period. I exhaust myself working hard to try to get to that point. I’m taking it a little more personal this year.”

The Eagles should once again have a dynamic running game, with Sanders joined by Jalen Hurts behind a strong offensive line. If he can stay healthy, and if the Eagles commit to him as a feature back, he can put up some gaudy rushing totals. As we’ve seen throughout his career so far, though, those are two pretty big “ifs.”