The Chicago Bears Jarvis Landry trade buzz has remained consistent for the better part of a couple weeks. This ever since the Miami Dolphins chose to franchise tag the 24-year old wide receiver. Initial impression was the Bears had interest but didn’t have the picks required to make such a deal.
That may no longer be a problem. According to John Mullin of NBC Sports Chicago, there is a growing buzz that the Bears might have a way to get the former Pro Bowl wide receiver, but it would require an unexpected sacrifice that may not thrill a lot of people.
“Whispers are that the Bears and Miami Dolphins have had conversations about the Dolphins sending wide receiver Jarvis Landry and a third-round pick to the Bears in exchange for Howard and a swap of the Dolphins pick at No. 11 overall for the Bears’ at No. 8.”
A lot of Bears fans are going to hate that idea. Why give up Jordan Howard, a stud running back, just to get a receiver who will cost way more money and a third round pick? The answer isn’t as complicated as they might think though. The center of it rests at the feet, ironically, of new head coach Matt Nagy.
Interesting context here: New Bears brass not believed to be enamored with Jordan Howard. That was the word at the combine. https://t.co/pMyuRXMaLW
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) March 3, 2018
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Bears Jarvis Landry trade sparked by lack of Jordan Howard fit
On the surface this seems absurd. Howard has run for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. How could Nagy not see value in him on offense? There is a rather key reason. Howard is a terrible receiver. Since his rookie year in 2016, he has dropped a total of 12 passes, ranking him among the worst in the NFL. Nagy loves to use his running backs as receivers out of the backfield.
This means keeping Howard would handcuff a considerable part of his playbook. This is rather amazing. A source reached out to me a month ago insisting that the Dolphins were in hot pursuit of Howard. I wasn’t comfortable revealing that information at the time because it was so hard to believe. It’s now clear I owe that person a groveling apology.
Adding to this is the fact that the 2018 draft class is stacked with running back talent. Not only that, but GM Ryan Pace has already shown he has an eye for finding gems at that position. It was true with Howard in the fifth round two years ago and again with Tarik Cohen last year. Nagy too has a sharp eye, helping the Chiefs to get Kareem Hunt in the third round last year.
Now with all this being said, it’s important to maintain context. The trade is being “explored.” That doesn’t mean it’s all but set in stone. Several hurdles must yet be clear. Still, if it does happen the Bears get themselves a Pro Bowl receiver, get back their lost third rounder from the Trubisky trade and only lose three draft slots in the first round.
Yes, it costs them Howard, but the future of this team will go through Mitch Trubisky. That’s the harsh reality of this sport.
