Did you know the New Orleans Saints plan to trade running back Darren Sproles?
Well, neither did he.
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Sproles, who began his career with the San Diego Chargers but has played for the Saints since 2011, knew that New Orleans did not plan to re-sign him. These things happen in the NFL, and last week, Sproles gave a public display of gratitude to his fans in New Orleans as he prepared to move on.
Thank you New Orleans for your support over the past 3 years! I will always be forever grateful. #WhoDat— Darren Sproles (@DarrenSproles) March 8, 2014
If New Orleans simply released him, Sproles would have been able to test the free agency market and decide which team to play for next -- clearly a more desirable option than getting traded. But once the Saints' front office realized the high level of interest in Sproles, they decided to trade the running back instead of simply release him.
There was just one problem: No one let Sproles in on the news before it went public on Twitter this week.
WOW! "@ESPNNFL: THIS JUST IN: Saints now plan to trade RB Darren Sproles due to heavy interest. He will not be released.— Darren Sproles (@DarrenSproles) March 11, 2014
The stuff u find out on twitter— Darren Sproles (@DarrenSproles) March 11, 2014
Ouch.
Sproles has already publicly stated that he wants to be released instead of traded, but it will be tough for him to change anything if the Saints are set on their decision to trade him.
It's also likely that he'll be having a long conversation with his agent about the importance of communication.