Jordan Howard: Grading the trade for Eagles and Bears

Jordan Howard was the latest big name this offseason to see himself switch teams via trade, going from the Chicago Bears to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The viewpoints on him are more than a little mixed. Some see him as a top 10 running back who is good for 1,000 yards a year. Others see him as a throwback who only fits in certain systems and isn’t a fit for the dynamic style of the modern NFL. The bottom line is the Bears wanted to go in a different direction and the Eagles felt they could get good use out of him. That’s often how trades go.

What it comes down to is the compensation. The Eagles give up a conditional 6th round pick in 2020 that could become a 5th round pick. Chicago drafted Howard with a 5th round pick. So from their perspective, they’ll have basically rented him for three years and gotten their original pick back in the end. Provided those conditions are met.

Both sides have an argument for “winning” this trade even though it could basically be called a win for each. So let’s do a quick grade from each side.

Eagles perspective:

It’s apparent Philadelphia is hoping Howard becomes their next LeGarrette Blount. That bigger power back who gives their running game a dose of rough and tough it lacked in 2018. Getting him for a future 6th rounder (possibly 5th) knowing that Howard is 24-years old certainly comes across as a wise low-risk, high-reward decision. If they keep him long-term? Fine. If he leaves in 2020, they could get a compensatory pick for him in 2021. Grade: A

Bears perspective:

It became clear last season that Howard is not an every-scheme running back. He wasn’t comfortable in Matt Nagy’s system for much of the season. While he still found a way to be productive, the clock began ticking for him in Chicago. The Bears might’ve gotten more for him had they traded him sooner, but it would’ve weakened the team far more severely. Getting a pick for him in a contract year, setting themselves up for 10 total in 2020 is a win. Grade: B

So on paper, the Eagles appear to come out ahead in this trade because they get the proven player at a relatively cheap price and the Bears get a late pick. Then again they may have gotten their original pick back for a player they got over 3,000 yards and a Pro Bowl out of. Maybe not the happy ending they hoped for, but still a solid business move.

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Jordan Howard: Grading the trade for Eagles and Bears

By Erik Lambert | Mar 28, 2019

Jordan Howard was the latest big name this offseason to see himself switch teams via trade, going from the Chicago Bears to the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Eagles perspective:

Bears perspective: