The Denver Broncos are locked in on this season, but their plans for the future are already coming to light. In an interesting development, former New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles is leaning towards joining the Broncos as a coaching intern.
Sproles, the No. 140 overall pick out of Kent State in the 2005 draft by the then-San Diego Chargers, won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017.
He will bring his talents to the Broncos in an entirely new capacity for him, starting in 2026.
Darren Sproles Leaning Toward Joining Broncos Coaching Staff
GettyDarren Sproles #43 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before the NFC Divisional Round against the New Orleans Saints.
Sproles played for Broncos head coach Sean Payton on the Saints for three seasons from 2011 through 2013.
Sproles confirmed the news to Kay Adams.
“Sean has called me about it, and I think I’m going to take him up on it. Because I feel like my next calling is to coach. I feel like like with me starting this high school coaching a little bit, I’m loving it. And I feel like that’s my next calling,” Sproles said on “Up & Adams” on November 6.
“I just love the day-to-day grind of preparation, you know what I’m saying? That’s what I feel like I’m missing.”
Sproles said Payton reached out to him after hearing about the former tailback coaching high school ball. Payton previously tried to recruit former Saints left tackle Terron Armstead in a similar capacity following his retirement from the Miami Dolphins.
However, Sproles clarified that he has not yet accepted the offer, but is leaning in that direction.
Sean Payton Praises Darren Sproles
GettyDarren Sproles #43 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during their NFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Payton cited Sproles as the one player he would have added to last season’s Broncos team over options like Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham.
According to Payton, “there was something about freakin’ Darren Sproles,” with the coaching adding that the veteran’s “football IQ was off the charts” during an interview with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel.
“He would do something every time like, even something you’d never cover,” Payton told Russini and Daniel on “Scoop City” in August. “On a choice route, slip under an end, come up the field and it was always the right thing. And so Sproles is one of those unique guys that then you forget about his talent as a runner.”
Payton and the Broncos will look to take advantage of Sproles’ IQ next season.
Broncos Have Their Own Darren Sproles
GettyRJ Harvey #12 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sproles also said he is most eager to work with former Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn, who is on the Broncos’ practice squad. The retired runner says he sees a lot of himself in Vaughn and believes he can have a long career, particularly under Payton.
However, the Broncos already have their own version in rookie second-round draft pick RJ Harvey.
Harvey has drawn comparisons to Sproles since entering the league. He has made them accurate with 46 rushes for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns compared to 23 receptions for 166 yards and 4 TDs this season.
He also embraced the comparisons to Sproles and other Saints backs.
“Yeah, definitely want to be like those guys,” Harvey told reporters in May. “Darren Sproles … he went crazy with the Saints. [Alvin] Kamara, too, so. I want to be better than those guys, so I’m gonna work every day, get better, and just prove myself to all the vets and the coaches. And I want to make a immediate impact in this league, so.”
The Broncos even use Harvey in tandem with veteran free agent signing J.K. Dobbins, much like Payton’s Saints did with Sproles and Kamara.
Sproles joining the Broncos would be a fitting step for all parties involved.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Broncos Get Good News About Super Bowl Champion With Ties to Sean Payton appeared first on Heavy Sports.