The Eagles Trading For Bears RB Jordan Howard Would Complete Offense

Since the Philadelphia Eagles traded LeSean McCoy during the 2014 offseason, they have had to use bandaids on the running back position. But, they never thought it would be like that.




After trading McCoy to the Bills, the Eagles went out and signed the leagues best rusher from the year prior, DeMarco Murray. Murray was apart of a Chip Kelly overhaul that never worked out. However, this overhaul, lite a fire in Howie Roseman to get the Eagles back to where they belong.

 

That fire lead to the Eagles winning their first ever Super Bowl Championship during the 2017 season. But, that championship didn’t come easy. That Super Bowl victory was all about the next man up mentality. The motto of everyone on the team had each others back.

 

During the Eagles Super Bowl run, they faced adversity. They faced hardship. But, most importantly. THEY NEVER GAVE UP. Never giving up lead to the greatest moment in Philadelphia Sports history to date. However, when you look at the roster that won the Super Bowl, you think how? Why?

 

The Eagles team that won the Super Bowl was built for success. Having back-ups, some more known than others, at every position. Whether it was the greatest backup QB in the league, Nick Foles. Or 2nd year pro 5th round draft pick, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, everyone had a role. A role that no matter what, on any given Sunday, the Eagles would have the best available team on the field with limited liabilities.




Now, you can’t win the Super Bowl every year. One of the many reasons you don’t is what the Eagles went through last season. Teams taking talent off of your team, whether players or coaches, to bring in that winning experience. The Eagles lost some key guys from the Super Bowl winning team last season. One of the bigger names was running back LeGarrette Blount.

 

Blount, who was signed to a 1-year deal after winning the Super Bowl the previous year with the Patriots, was brought in to add grit and size to the Eagles backfield. A backfield that had often injured, Ryan Matthews, leading the way the year prior. But, adding Blount wasn’t about making him the #1 guy. No. Adding Blount gave the Eagles a positional running back for different situations.

 

During that season, the Eagles used position by committee motto in the backfield. Blount was their size and short-down back. Darren Sproles was their pass catching option, until he tore his ACL in week 3 and missed the rest of the season. And, un-drafted rookie running back, Corey Clement, became their jack-of-all-trades guy.

 

Last season, the Eagles let LeGarrette Blount go and he signed with the Detroit Loins. To replace Blount, the Eagles went with another un-drafted rookie in Josh Adams. Adams didn’t see the field until the Eagles thought they were out of the playoff race. But, in his limited time, Adams helped an injured and depleted Eagles backfield. Contributing in small waves, Adams helped the Eagles down the stretch to a short lived playoff run.




Even with the small flashes Adams showed last season, it is hard for the Eagles to go into the season with an unproven backfield. With the uncertainty of Darren Sproles possibly returning, Corey Clement coming off a knee injury, and the unproven Wendell Smallwood, the Eagles need stability in the backfield. Not to mention, a running back who can take some pressure off of Carson Wentz.

 

Already adding to the offense with the return of DeSean Jackson, the running back position is the one glaring hole left on the offense. Drafting a rookie running back will not solve anything. Yes, it may provide for help down the road. But, with the Eagles offense now, they are in a position to compete for a Super Bowl championship again this season.

 

Insert Chicago Bears running back, Jordan Howard.

 

Since being passed up 149 times in the 2016 draft, Howard has done nothing but impress in the NFL. The former 5th round pick bursted onto the scene his rookie season. Finishing 2nd in the league in rushing yards behind another rookie Ezekiel Elliott. However, since finishing 2nd in rushing yards in 2016, Howard has seen his role in the Bears offense diminish. With his workload and touches going down each season since.




Howard is a workhorse running back in the NFL. Coming in at 6’0″ 225lbs, Howard is a two-down, between the tackles type of running back. A role that is quietly becoming non-existent in the NFL anymore. Offenses are now looking for a three-down, all-in-one type of running back. Players like Alvin Kamara, Saquon Barkley, and Ezekiel Elliott.

 

But, with how the Eagles offense is set-up, Jordan Howard would be the perfect feature back. A running back that could make a 1st & 10 – 2nd & 5, 2nd & mid – 3rd & short, or 3rd & short – 1st down. With the Eagles having a receiving corp like no other in the NFL, the running back position shouldn’t be forgotten about. A clear example is last season.

 

When the Eagles abandoned the run, the offense struggled. When the run-to-pass ratio was close, the offense was more balanced and ran more smoothly. Now, going into the season with Clement as the featured back isn’t terrible. However, having uncertainty and unreliability behind Clement is something the Eagles can’t afford.

 

Adding Howard doesn’t just give the Eagles a starting and featured running back. With the addition of Howard, he gives the Eagles reliability and flexibility at the running back position. Something that worked extremely well in their run to the Super Bowl in 2017. Having a running back that can do it all. But, also having a running back for every situation on your roster.




Its hard to find a defense in the NFC East, let alone the NFC in general, that could stop this offense…

 

Wentz – Howard/Clement – Jeffery/Jackson/Agholor – Ertz/Goedert

 

After staying away from the high-price tag of LeVeon Bell and letting Tevin Coleman sign for $5M, adding Jordan Howard for a mid-round pick is the best decision the Eagles can make. With Howard in the final year of his rookie contract, acquiring him would allow the Eagles to see how he works in the offense before shelling out big money for the potential featured back.

 

With the Bears adding Mike Davis, Howard’s role in the Chicago offense will go down even more. Howard was passed up on multiple occasions last season for a more faster Tarik Cohen.




According to reports, the Bears are seeking a 3rd round pick for Howard. But, the have yet to get more than a 5th round pick in trade talks. If the Eagles want Howard, a 4th may be enough to get him now. However, if they wait out the market, a 5th may be enough eventually.

 

 

After losing a collection of free agents last offseason, the Eagles were awarded a compensatory 4th round pick in this years draft. Giving them two 4th round picks this year. Shelling out one of those 4th round picks for Howard would be well the possibility of Howard becoming the Eagles featured back down the road.



By Brandon Sommermann | March 14, 2019