The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired running back Jordan Howard in a steal of a trade.
The 24-year-old former Chicago Bears player cost just a 2020 sixth round pick that could possibly turn into a fifth rounder. Howard is only a couple of seasons removed from ranking second in rushing yards (1,313) in the league.
As recently as this week the Eagles said they would evaluate their running back position after turning down the opportunity to re-sign London-born Jay Ajayi following his ACL tear in Week 5. The Bears also mentioned they were open to trading Howard - who lost touches to "human joystick" Tarik Cohen in 2018 - at this week's owner's meeting.
Not known as a three-down back, Howard is most effective in for a play or two at a time. The running back's unreliability in the passing game is ultimately what cost him a place in Bears head coach Matt Nagy's offence. While the Eagles offense relies heavily on receivers, the success of Ajayi, Darren Sproles and LaGarrette Blount in 2017 demonstrates the large role Howard could have under Doug Pederson.
Howard has recorded 3,370 rushing yards and 568 receiving yards on 850 touches since entering the league as a fifth round pick three years ago. He has 24 touchdowns on the ground and added one more via the air. A standout rookie year saw him named to the Pro Bowl after amassing 1,611 total yards and an average 5.2 yards per rush, according to Pro Football Reference.
Per Eagles Public Relations Coordinator John Gonoude, Howard is one of only four running backs with more than 2,000 yards over the past two seasons. His 2,057 yards put him in the same company as Todd Gurley, Ezekiel Elliott and Kareem Hunt. Howard and Elliott are the only running backs with at least 900 yards rushing in the past three seasons.
COVER PHOTO: Penn Live
Comments