Chicago Bears: Jordan Howard traded to Philadelphia Eagles for pick

The Chicago Bears finally did what many expected on Thursday night as they traded Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles for a draft pick.

This offseason was never going to be as exciting as last year for the Chicago Bears. But, what seemed like the inevitable move to make before the 2019 NFL Draft finally came to fruition on Thursday night.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears traded veteran running back Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 6th-round pick in 2020.

Also, per Schefter, the 6th-rounder can eventually become a 5th-rounder. I’m assuming that’s based on Howard’s performance this next season.

While most fans’ reaction to the trade was immediately negative, the result of the deal may have shed some light on how the NFL is treating running backs in today’s game. Howard is a proven workhorse back; that’s a given. But, with how teams have found running backs easier than ever in the past few drafts, the Bears were never going to reap a significant return for his services.

Howard, himself, is a former 5th-round pick. If anything, he proves the point that has become reality in pro football. In the right scheme, under the right coaching, running backs can thrive no matter where they are drafted. Tarik Cohen came from a small school and was a relative unknown out of North Carolina A&T prior to Ryan Pace snagging him in the fourth round two years ago.

It’s become blatantly obvious. Anyone can find a running back for their scheme without having to spend high draft capital. It is somewhat of a sad reality, but also kind of exciting.

In Matt Nagy’s offense, Howard simply never fit as well as the team would have liked. He’s a great running back, but placed in an offense featuring much movement and RPO-style play-calling on a regular basis, the bigger, bruising back wasn’t ideal.

Look for the Bears to now enter the draft with one major goal in mind: Replace Howard. Along with finding depth at edge rusher, safety and offensive line, the Bears will have to replace the snaps left behind by Howard.

Signing Mike Davis certainly helped bolster the depth, but anyone who thought Davis was the actual replacement for when Howard was traded, is sadly mistaken. Nagy will use a plethora of talent in the back field, and I can assure you he will find more of that in the draft.