Ex-Eagles RB Darren Sproles Reveals Truth Behind Confrontation With Franchise QB

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• By Ryan Messick

• Updated Nov 19, 2022 at 10:56am

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Retired Eagles running back Darren Sproles has finally spoken out about the confrontation he had with quarterback Carson Wentz during the team's Super Bowl run in the 2017 season.

The rumor and then eventual report that former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz nearly came to blows with running back Darren Sproles over the injured signal caller’s attitude about the Birds’ Super Bowl run without him is true, according to Sproles himself.

The 39-year-old made an appearance on the Up and Adams Show on FanDuel TV, and discussed the incident with host Kay Adams, while also discussing an interest in one last run with the Eagles.

"We had some words, but it wasn’t like, it wasn’t as big as like what everybody is saying,” Sproles explained.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, Wentz "voiced his displeasure,” over the Eagles run to several other injured players, and was "immediately confronted.”

After the report, former Philadelphia and Washington running back and return man Brian Mitchell said on his radio show that the unnamed Eagle was Sproles. “[Wentz] damn sure wasn’t happy about them going on a run when he wasn’t playing. He was, ‘I don’t feel comfortable with them winning it without me. This doesn’t feel good.’ Until Darren Sproles almost whipped his ass,” Mitchell said on March 10, 2022, according to a transcript on Audacy Sports.

In a later appearance on the show, running back LeGarrette Blount, part of the Super Bowl championship team, confirmed a story about the confrontation to Mitchell.

Now, Sproles has spoken out and told his side of the story.

"But it’s like, I had to make him kind of like realize that you’ve got to be happy for the team, you know what I’m saying?” Sproles explained. "We’re all mad that we’re not playing, you know what I’m saying? We all was hurt, but you’ve still got to be happy for the team.”

During a series of follow up questions, Sproles said that he and Wentz are on good terms now. "Yeah, we’re fine, we’re fine to this day,” Sproles said.

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Sproles Says Carson Wentz Kept to Himself During the Run

According to Sproles, the situation arose after Wentz had been staying quiet during the playoff run. "He was walking around quiet, but then like right after that kind of like conversation, that all kind of changed,” Sproles said.

When pressed for more details, it became clear that the retired running back wasn’t going to give up much more.

"He wasn’t the way he was before,” Sproles said with a laugh.

The Eagles lost Sproles to injury early in the 2017 season, as he went down with a torn ACL and broken forearm in a Week 3 win over the Giants. Never the less, his presence was obviously felt in the locker room.

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Sproles Breaks Down Carson Wentz’s Weaknesses

After a short tenure in Indianapolis and a rough start in Washington, there’s been no lack of criticism of Wentz on and off the field. After being asked, Sproles gave his take.

"Personally, I just feel like, with Carson, he’s a great player,” Sproles began. "I just feel like he just needs to take coaching like that. I feel like that’s probably like his hardest thing to do, but like I know with Carson, he has to have like an outlet too. He needs to have a good tight end. If he doesn’t have a good tight end, that’s like his comfort zone. So that’s what he really needs to be successful.”

https://heavy.com/sports/philadelphia-eagles/carson-wentz-confrontation-darren-sproles/

So it sounds like the physical confrontation was greatly exaggerated, but he pretty much confirmed Wentz wasn't thrilled about our success without him. Plenty enough for me to say F that guy. I'm glad we're done with him and his career is going in the sheeter.

I think every injured player feels some disappointment at "what could have been"....whether it's a playoff run or a backup playing really well that his job is in jeopardy.  But those thoughts have to be kept to yourself and they have to take a backseat to the team success.  

Wentz was having an MVP season, and it must have been really hard to not be a big part of the playoff run.  And his ego and personality couldn't handle it....whether he was immature or just selfish.  He didn't seem like the selfish type of player, but you never know until adversity creeps into the situation.

It also may be why he hasn't fixed the problems in his game that keeps him from holding his job, along with the injuries.  I think he gets way too much blame, but ultimately, a QB has to improve the areas of his game that need improving.  And once your "coachability" is questioned, problem areas become enormous.  

Personally, I hope he straightens out his career, but he's had 3 chances with teams that needed QB leadership and he hasn't been able to fix his shortcomings.  I doubt he gets another starting job......I think his only chance is to be a backup and step in when a starter goes down.......