Miles Sanders and the Eagles may have finally found a way to coexist. Not to say that there was friction between the two but the injuries have plagued Sanders during his time with the franchise. He has always shown great potential but has been on the boom or bust spectrum due to his lack of availability.
To no coincidence, Sanders has shown real growth in his game this season as free agency looms. Miles has always been criticized for not hitting the right holes due to his search for the home run play. Sanders has been as reliable as can be this season.
In the times that his number has been called, Sanders has been able to put together 356 rushing yards while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Miles Sanders is currently 12th in the league in yards per carry. He’s also third in the league in rushing yards as well, just behind Saquon Barkley and Nick Chubb.
To extend or not to extend?
With free agency right around the corner, the Eagles have a big decision to make. The current average market value for a running back is in the realm of 4 years for $34 million which would average out to be $8 million per year according to Spotrac.
If Miles Sanders and his agent want to play hardball then that would most likely take the Eagles out of the bidding. Sanders could look at the deals that Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, and Aaron Jones all signed and ask for $11 million but the NFL may not be convinced that he’s worth that.
Advantage Eagles?
While the Eagles do have Kenny Gainwell waiting for his chance to shine, Sanders has provided a consistency that was once shown during his rookie season. Sanders has protected the ball with no fumbles on the season and he’s seeing the endzone at a rate that would leave him double-digit touchdowns by the end of the season.
If the Eagles can get Sanders to stay in Philly for the next 2-3 years at the price range of $6 million to $8 million then they can have a lethal backfield for years to come. But with so many players in need of extensions by the end of the season, the Eagles are not in a favorable position to do it.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
