‘Some good memories here’: Miles Sanders reflects on his years with the Eagles

Back in the tri-state area for the first time since he signed with the Carolina Panthers in free agency, former Eagles running back Miles Sanders became a bit emotional Tuesday when he hosted his youth camp at Sterling High School in Somerdale, Camden County.

“A little bit of memories being back [near Philadelphia],” Sanders said. “I used to live right down the street. Some good memories here. I see some kids got my old jersey on. I’m looking forward to having fun out here.”

Sanders, who was selected in the second round of the 2019 draft out of Penn State, spent the first four seasons of his career with the Eagles. He compiled 3,708 rushing yards and averaged 5 yards per carry with 20 rushing touchdowns.

Leading up to his free agency, the 26-year-old was vocal about wanting to re-sign with the Eagles. Sanders had the best season of his career in 2022, making the Pro Bowl for the first time as the Eagles reached the Super Bowl.

However, his dream to re-sign with the Eagles never came to fruition.

The Eagles opted to add free-agent running back Rashaad Penny in mid-March. A day later, Sanders signed a four-year contract worth $25.4 million with the Panthers. And on April 29, the Eagles acquired former St. Joseph’s Prep star D’Andre Swift in a trade with the Detroit Lions.

The Eagles enter training camp with six running backs on the roster: Swift, Penny, Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, Trey Sermon, and Kennedy Brooks.

For financial context, Swift, Penny, Gainwell, and Scott are set to earn a combined $5.64 million in base salary in 2023, according to Spotrac.

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Meanwhile, Sanders has already netted $5.9 million in signing-bonus money from his new deal. His average annual salary over the next four years is $6.35 million.

Sanders also gets the opportunity to reunite with former Eagles assistant and current Panthers assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley.

“He means a lot. I swear,” Sanders said of Staley. “He’s probably the main reason I came back [to him in Carolina]. I have that connection with him. I know how he coaches. I know that he’s going to be the best out of me. Most importantly, he knows what I’m about, and he’s the one that drafted me. We’re going to get back to what we’ve been doing.”

Sanders declined to discuss specifics regarding his departure from the Eagles. Asked to compare differences between Philadelphia and Carolina, Sanders offered a brief reply: “It’s cool. But I’m just focused on the camp right now.”

About 200 children attended Sanders’ camp, the first of two sessions. Sanders is scheduled to hold another camp on Thursday at Bishop McDevitt in Harrisburg, the alma mater of another former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy. Sanders also will hold another camp through his foundation on July 16 at Woodland Hills High School, where he starred.

“I love doing stuff for the kids, and that’s what’s most important for me,” he said. “That’s what my foundation is about, focusing on the youth. My goal is to let them have fun and really make their day by coming out here. I don’t never think I’m that big of a name, but … I see how many kids are coming and how many people are supporting me.

“I remember being a kid out here just like them, imagining these players, looking up to them like superheroes.”