Buzz has picked up in a big way regarding a potential Jordan Howard trade. Rumors first surfaced a week ago that the Chicago Bears had a chance to deal him last year before the trade deadline in October. They declined, wanting to keep him for a hopeful playoff run. Times change though.
Howard is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Last season proved that while he remains a tough runner, he’s a bad fit for the system Matt Nagy has put in place. Never mind the looming issue of him needing a new deal and the Bears not having the money to offer him one. Not with Mitch Trubisky’s contract looming on the horizon.
Of course, there is still no guarantee that Howard gets dealt, but the smoke is thicker than ever before. It feels less like “if” and more like “when” it’s going to happen. The question is which team, if any, will pull the trigger on a deal the Bears like. Looking over the landscape, there are two that stand out of above the rest.
Multiple teams approached the Chicago Bears at the combine last week and discussed a potential trade for RB Jordan Howard, per league sources. Discussions ongoing.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2019
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New York Jets
- Cap space: $98.5 million
- Draft picks: Two 3rd rounders and a 4th rounder
There are plenty of reasons to think the Jets are and should be interested in Howard and it starts with connections. Adam Gase is the new head coach and his offensive coordinator is Dowell Loggains. He held that same job with the Bears during Howard’s first two years in Chicago, during which he had his two best statistical seasons.
New York has more than enough cap space to accommodate a new deal for Howard and three picks in the 3rd and 4th round. Last but not least is their current options. Isaiah Crowell is the best they have with Elijah McGuire being the other notable. Neither can touch what Howard has proven capable of. He’d be somebody Sam Darnold can lean on.
Also, don’t forget Pace and Jets GM Mike Maccagnan have done business before. The Bears traded Brandon Marshall to New York back in 2015.
Buffalo Bills
- Cap space: $76.05 million
- Draft picks: One 3rd rounder and two 4th rounders
Another team that is in much the same situation as their division rival. The Bills have a ton of money to spend, so paying Howard a new deal won’t be an issue. They too have three picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds and a pressing need at the position. LeSean McCoy turns 31 in July and Chris Ivory has a long history of shaky health.
Buffalo is a team run by head coach Sean McDermott. He’s a defensive specialist, so running the ball is important to him. That was proven by the fact the Bills ran it the sixth-most times of any team in the NFL last season. Yet none of their backs did better than 600 yards. Howard would be the instant upgrade they’re looking for.
