Chicago Bears: What Jordan Howard’s playoff promise means to the fans
By Ryan Heckman
The Bears’ third-year pro has some lofty expectations for his young team in 2018.
The Chicago Bears have already begun to shift gears this offseason. After the hiring of head coach Matt Nagy, it seemed as though there was a different attitude present around Halas Hall.
A brand new coaching staff, a young team that is getting even younger and the upcoming free agent period all have the fans buzzing. For the first time in a few years, it actually feels like the team is headed in the right direction.
A big reason for that is due to running back Jordan Howard. The former Indiana standout and 2016 fifth round draft pick has made a name for himself in just two seasons.
Howard has faced quite a bit of adversity throughout his life. Whether it be losing his father when he was a kid or being doubted his entire career, Howard has always remained motivated.
Even now, there are plenty of people out there — even so-called experts — giving Howard far less credit than he deserves. The man has been in the top tier of all running backs in terms of rushing yards in both the last two years. How has he remained so under appreciated?
https://twitter.com/BovadaLV/status/912056451597774851
Howard is one of those backs that defenses have stacked the box against every single game. The fact that their offense hasn’t had much going for them recently is a huge reason why. Still, Howard has amassed over 2,400 rushing yards in his two seasons with the Bears.
Imagine what he will do as the offense improves — that’s a scary thought.
On Monday morning, Howard joined NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, a show he has appeared on previously. He has been well-liked by the show’s cast and today he gave them quite the story to run with.
Howard gave the crew a prediction for his Bears in respect to the coming season.
"“The Bears are definitely going to have a winning season. We’re going to get to the playoffs. So I guarantee we get to the playoffs,”"
Guarantees don’t mean anything when it boils down. But, coming from a guy who is notably soft spoken and humble, this is definitely enough to raise some eyebrows.
To the team, it means a common goal.
To analysts, it means a laugh.
To Chicago media, it means a story.
For the fans, it means everything.
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Fans of the Bears have long been hungry to see a competent, competitive and edgy team return to Soldier Field. It has been 12 years since the team reached the Super Bowl and over three decades since they last won it all.
For one of your leaders and best players on the team to come out and make such a proclamation should strike a sense of excitement and angst into the fans for the 2018 campaign.
This isn’t Rasheed Wallace, a notorious loudmouth, guaranteeing a win in game two of the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals. This is a quiet player, who simply shows up and does his job day in and day out, going on national television and giving his fan base a huge boost of confidence in their team.
Bravo, 24, you gave us all even more reason to be excited — and it’s only February.