NFL trade grade: Eagles get Jordan Howard from Bears at a bargain

Jordan Howard is headed to the Eagles as the Bears trade away a two-time 1,000-yard rusher who wasn’t deemed an ideal fit in Matt Nagy’s offense, so who wins the trade?

The Bears finally found a taker for Jordan Howard, trading him to the Eagles for a conditional sixth round pick that can be a fifth rounder, according to Adam Schefter. The Bears had shopped Howard, 24, all offseason but found a taker with the NFL Draft a little less than one month away.

Howard is coming off his worst season after hitting career-lows in rushing attempts, yards, yards per carry, receptions and receiving yards. His plodding style didn’t fit well in Matt Nagy’s offense that prefers to have running backs capable of catching the ball out of the backfield and showing a little more elusiveness and breakaway speed.

Howard began his career with two straight 1,000-yard seasons after he was drafted in the fifth round out of Indiana. Now, he’s flipped for a sixth round pick in next year’s draft. The Bears signed Mike Davis in free agency to be the lead ball carrier and have Tarik Cohen who could see a bigger role on offense this year.

Meanwhile, Howard should provide a consistent presence in the backfield after Josh Adams was the team’s leading rusher with 511 yards on 120 carries. Adams, Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement shared time after Jay Ajayi was injured and limited to four games. Howard will be their primary rusher and a candidate to top the thousand-yard-mark as long as he stays healthy.

The trade for Howard also opens the team’s options for the first round of the NFL Draft where they were a logical landing spot for top running back prospect, Josh Jacobs. Now, the Eagles don’t have to be locked in at running back and can take the best available player, knowing the run game has been strengthened.

Eagles Grade: B

Bears Grade: C-