A Jordan Howard Trade Didn't Happen, But Here's Why It Still Might

The Jordan Howard trade rumors seem like a distant memory, don't they? Exactly as the Chicago Bears had hoped. They knew once the season started such matters would fade to the background. Except fans are kind of persistent people. They aren't completely dumb either. They recognize when it may or may not be time to let something go. This situation with Howard is a prime example. Something strange is happening with him in the Bears offense. For the first time this year, he wasn't a featured part of the offensive game plan against Tampa Bay. He ran the ball just 11 times and was targeted once on a pass play. Both were lows for this season. Meanwhile his backfield teammate Tarik Cohen ran it 13 times and was targeted on eight passes for a combined 174 yards and a touchdown. The Bears offense clicked like it hasn't done all year, scoring 48 points in routing the Buccaneers. Throughout the game, people were asking. Where's Howard? What happened to Howard? Is he hurt? Is he dead? No. He simply wasn't needed, and that's where people should take careful note. [video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Tarik-Cohen-Takes-Down-Tampa-Bay-w-184-Total-Yards.mp4"][/video]

Bears offense exploded without Jordan Howard, so were the rumors true?

One of the reasons the Howard trade buzz picked up in the first place was because they had some validity to them. The explanation was head coach Matt Nagy preferred running backs with more versatility. He wants running ability sure, but also explosiveness and to be able to catch passes. Howard, despite improving his receiving skill, isn't that type of back. He's what one would call "old school." He isn't a back that works well on limited touches. His success comes with volume carries. Like a sledgehammer, one keeps swinging against a rock. At first nothing happens, but the longer one swings it eventually the rock breaks. That's what Howard does to defenses. It requires constant investment from the game plan, and last week showed that's not going to happen with Nagy. He needs a back who can change as the game plan changes. Howard can't do that. This might be why his time on the roster may not reach beyond 2018. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune explained.

"Howard will be entering the final year of his contract after this season and while he’ll still be cheap, one would imagine he would like an extension based on the productivity he enjoyed in 2016 and 2017. It would not be surprising to see the Bears look for a replacement in the offseason, but that’s a long way off, and there is plenty Howard can do to help the Bears before then."

There are also practical issues in play here.

As Biggs says, Howard will want a new contract next year. The Bears will have some tough decisions to make with their payroll, having chewed into it with their massive spending spree over the past few months. There's also the need to allocate cap space for when they have to prepare for Mitch Trubisky's next deal, presuming his improvement continues. A sacrifice has to be made somewhere. Howard might be that man. He's an awkward fit for the scheme and paying him, while he deserves it, may hurt the Bears long-term. There's also the benefits a trade would bring. Remember thanks to the Khalil Mack and Anthony Miller moves, Chicago has no 1st or 2nd round picks next year. Dealing a 24-year old running back with a year left on a cheap rookie deal could net them some extra help. It's a cold calculation, but that's the harsh truth of the NFL. Time will tell on whether the Bears might keep phasing Howard out or if they find a place for him after all.