Q&A: Darren Sproles believes this Eagles team is the best in franchise history, calls Saquon Barkley ‘unbelievable’

Similar to Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox, Darren Sproles is keeping himself busy in retirement. On Tuesday, the three-time Pro Bowl running back met with fans at the Center City Verizon store — located on Walnut Street — in partnership with Verizon’s free Super Bowl FanFest, which will offer fans a unique Super Bowl viewing experience at Lincoln Financial Field, whether the Eagles are playing or not.

”It’s always fun just to interact with the fans,” said Sproles, who will be one of the Eagles alums at the event on Feb. 9. “The reason we play this game is for the fans, they make you who you are. So, it’s always fun just to give back to them. I love it because when I’m meeting kids, they see my height and they see my size and I think it can give them hope like, ‘You can make it. It doesn’t matter about your height or your size.’ I always like them to see me.”

Before retiring, the 5-foot-6 Sproles spent six seasons with the Eagles and was part of that historic 2017 team that brought the Birds their first Super Bowl trophy. With those credentials, Sproles knows a thing or two about playing this time of year. In a Q&A with The Inquirer, Sproles had a lot to say ahead of Sunday’s NFC championship game between the Eagles and the Washington Commanders. Sproles also discussed the team’s Super Bowl chances this year, the impressive seasons of both Saquon Barkley and Cooper DeJean, and more.

» READ MORE: This Eagles fan has worn a different jersey and hat combo every day of the season. He could do it for another 164 years.

A: I scout now for the Eagles and then back in California, me and my wife have a youth track team that we coach together called West Coast Elite. It’s an all-girl team full of 38 girls. I like having an all-girl team because I’m a girl dad and I just want them to stay focused on the goal.

A: They’re looking really good. I just want them to put it all together on Sunday. We just got to keep running the ball. That’s what got us here, so why not keep on running it?

A: It’s a little different because the 2017 team we had a lot of injuries but that team had a lot of heart. This year, this is probably the best Eagles team that we are seeing offensively and defensively. We’re probably looking at the best team that we’ve ever seen in Eagles history.

» READ MORE: A look back at the previous NFC title games in Philly — on the anniversary of one of the best

A: When you’re watching him, it’s almost like a video game. It’s crazy. We have never seen this before. He’s unbelievable.

A: Coop. Cooper [DeJean] is a monster.

A: He is a competitor for one. But anything they ask him to do, he’s been able to do. He can catch punts, play corner, play safety, play nickel. I feel like he’s up there for defensive rookie of the year just from what he’s been doing this season.

A: I’m going to say 24-10 Eagles.

» READ MORE: Bill Belichick says ‘Washington’s dangerous.’ Tom Brady thinks the Eagles defense will be the difference.

A: You know what makes me nervous? We see this team twice a year. And a third game is always a toss-up because we know each other so well. It’s going to be a battle. That’s the only thing that makes me nervous. And they have a hurry-up offense that’s doing pretty well, too. We just can’t turn the ball over. That’s going to be the main thing.

A: It’s going to be a sellout.