Bears Discussing Jordan Howard Trade

It sounds like Jordan Howard‘s time in Chicago could be coming to an end. The Bears are having trade discussions surrounding the young running back, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Schefter writes that “multiple teams” approached the Bears at the combine about trading for Howard, and that discussions are “ongoing.” There was trade speculation about Howard around this time last year, but the Bears ultimately shot down those rumors and said they were going to make Howard the “main guy” in their backfield. After another disappointing season, they’ve apparently changed their tune.

We heard last week that the Bears were shopping Howard, and it sounds like they’ve got some serious interest. Howard matched his career high with nine rushing touchdowns last season, but he wasn’t very efficient. He averaged just 3.7 yards per carry, down from 4.1 the year before. Neither number was anywhere near as good as his rookie season, when he averaged 5.2 yards per tote.

Howard was a fifth round pick in 2016, and immediately burst onto the scene as a rookie. He finished second in the NFL in rushing that year, and made the Pro Bowl. But he’s steadily declined since, and the Bears are looking to move in a different direction. Howard is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, and the team wants to get something back while they still can. Tarik Cohen, who has split time with Howard the past couple of seasons, isn’t really an every down back, so the Bears will certainly add some running back help at some point if they do trade Howard.

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