Chicago Bears: Jordan Howard ready to repeat last season’s success
Jordan Howard burst onto the NFL scene in 2016 by breaking the team’s rushing record and finishing second in the league in yards rushed. He’s out to prove this season that his success was no fluke.
The Chicago Bears suffered through one of the worst seasons in franchise history. They finished 3-13 and not much went right.
One thing that did go right was the running of rookie Jordan Howard.
Howard made his presence known by rushing for 1,313 yards. That number was second only to Ezekiel Elliott, who rushed for 1,631 yards behind a healthy, Pro Bowl-caliber offensive line (yes, I had to put that in there). Howard’s rushing total also broke the Bears’ rookie rushing record.
More from Da Windy City
- Juan Soto appears headed to the Yankees which is not a big blow Chicago Cubs offseason
- 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
Howard won’t rest on his laurels, however. He’s out to prove that his success last season was no fluke. He knows he is among the best running backs and wants to let everyone else know it, too.
While some expect a sophomore jinx, Howard puts in the work to avoid that. He also knows that with his success, people look at him differently.
"I feel like some people might feel like I might have been just a one-year wonder. That’s motivation to keep coming out here and working and improving my game… Since I’m a Pro Bowler, people are going to be looking at me and seeing what I’m doing,. If I’m practicing hard, other people are going to want to practice hard when they see me do that. I just try to set the tone when I come out here."
In addition to the on-field training regimen, Howard also changed his eating habits so he could stay on the field more in 2017. With the changes on offense and a defense trying to get back in step after a season full of injuries, Howard needs to get chunks of yards and help the offense to eat time and shorten games.
The Bears helped Howard by hiring Curtis Modkins as their running backs coach. Modkins previously worked with Jamaal Charles and C.J. Spiller and helped those noted running backs early in their career. Now he hopes to do the same for Howard.
Next: Most important players to help the Bears in the future
With a healthy offensive line and hopefully better quarterback and receiver play, Howard could have an even better season in 2017 than he had in 2016. If he does, he’ll raise the hopes of Chicago Bears fans everywhere.