Miles Sanders on 2023 season: I need more opportunities

Former Penn State running back Miles Sanders emerged as an impact player in the NFL early in his career but struggled throughout the 2021 season to find consistent opportunities with the Philadelphia Eagles. As he enters the fourth year of his career, the dynamic player is making sure the team knows how he feels about the way they use him.

During an appearance on the Take Off podcast with NBC Sports’ John Clark, Miles Sanders addressed his need for more opportunities in 2022 with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Being consistent, more consistent,” Sanders said, referencing the areas he must improve. “And I’m going to be honest, opportunities. I’m just going to say it simple like that. I need to be more consistent, but I need more opportunities.”

Last season, redzone opportunities in particular were hard to come by for Sanders, who finished the year with no touchdowns in 12 games. He also saw career lows in rushes and receptions as the Eagles leaned more on quarterback Jalen Hurts’ feet and distributed carries to rookie running back Kenneth Gainwell.

Over his three seasons, Sanders has rushed for 2,439 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 104 receptions for 864 yards and three touchdowns. However, after scoring three receiving touchdowns as a rookie, he has not scored through the air over the past two seasons despite still getting targets.

Eagles rookie discusses Jalen Hurts

Set to enter his his third season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, Jalen Hurts is coming into his own as a leader. One example of that is how the quarterback welcomed in receiver Devon Allen, who joined the team as an undrafted rookie this offseason.

Allen joined Take Off with John Clark to share that story. He said Hurts invited him over to his house for a welcome dinner, where they had a crawfish boil.

“He’s a great leader,” Allen said. “I think something that’s important is to try to build a relationship and rapport with all of your teammates. The first week I was there he invited me over for dinner. We had a crawfish boil. So that was pretty cool. I was like, ‘This guy doesn’t owe me anything and he doesn’t have to say much to me at all because I’m like the sixth-seventh-eighth receiver right now on the depth chart.’ He made an effort to get to know me, and I think that’s something special about this team. All the guys have really made an effort to be present and get to know everybody on the team and build strong chemistry. I think once we get into the trenches and bullets start flying, that’s when great football teams band together and play for each other.”