Chicago Bears: Five biggest X-Factors for the 2017 season
3. Jordan Howard
If the Chicago Bears offense is to accomplish anything this year, regardless of who plays quarterback, they’ll desperately need a big year from Howard.
After setting the Bears’ single-season rookie rushing record last year, Howard won’t have to fight for a job this time around. His bruising, one-cut running style helped churn out quite a few yards last season that Jeremy Langford simply couldn’t. Plus, he showed off some surprising speed for his size, which helped him rip off multiple runs of 30+ yards.
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Interestingly, he actually believes he could’ve been even better, especially in terms of his physical conditioning. If not for that, he thinks he could’ve gained even more yards.
This year, he’ll get a chance to prove it. And if he actually can top his 1,313-yard rookie year, what a boost that could be for the Bears.
His production should merit him 20 carries a game. If he’s averaging five or more yards per attempt like he did last year, that had better happen. And if Howard can improve as a receiver (eight drops last year), he’ll become an even bigger problem for opposing defenses than before.
No matter how the offensive line looks or who crouches behind center, Howard must get the football. If he doesn’t get the ball enough, the Chicago Bears offense will fail. Simple as that.