The Chicago Bears were not going to get much for Jordan Howard. However, their trade of him to the Philadelphia Eagles shows how they really feel
When Jordan Howard was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles it was almost not even surprising. There was so much smoke around the Chicago Bears feelings towards Howard from the day that Matt Nagy signed.
Flashforward through his worst season yet with the Bears and a pending new deal up after the 2019 season. It was clear the Bears were looking to dump Jordan Howard.
When they signed Mike Davis, they gave him a slight uptick in salary from Howard, showing that Davis would slot in for Howard. However, when news came of the compensation for Jordan Howard, you could really tell just how ready they were to move on.
The Chicago Bears acquired a 2020 6th round pick that could become a future 5th.
Bears trading RB Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 6th-round pick in 2020 that can become a 5th-round pick, league source tells ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 29, 2019
To be frank, they got a lottery ticket no matter how well Howard performs in Philadelphia. The chances of the pick they got for him turning out to be an impact player is low.
The Bears know this, and still decided to move on. When they signed Mike Davis they cemented the idea that Howard would be traded.
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It became obvious the team was ready to move on from Howard and the demand for him dried up. The compensation started to get lower. Rather than play hardball and wait until draft day, the team did right by Howard and let him get with his new team before the draft. They were unlikely to get more compensation anyways.
It is said to see Howard go, especially so cheaply. This will certainly be a decision that some fans will understand, but others will weigh the consequences for for the next few years.
While Mike Davis will step in for the brunt of Howards work, the Bears will likely draft a running back.