How the signing of Jordan Howard transforms the Eagles rushing attack

The Jordan Howard to Philadelphia storyline began its circulation after the big Bears back fell out of favor in Chicago at the behest of new Head Coach Matt Nagy. The writing on the wall was a not-so-well hidden secret ever since the Bears took jitterbug Tarik Cohen in the 2017 draft and were then linked to now Cleveland RB Kareem Hunt and superstar Le’Veon Bell before he signed with the New York Jets. With uncertainty swirling in the Eagles backfield, it was becoming obvious that the solution might not be in house. Regardless of the mounting traction churning in the background, seeing Howard in midnight green was never more than a rusting penny in a Broad Street wishing well. That is, until yesterday evening.

The news broke that magical Howie Roseman had stolen away Howard from Chicago for nothing more than a sixth-round selection in 2020 (with the possibility of becoming a fifth-rounder) early Thursday evening. With fans in Philadelphia and Chicago collectively double, and triple checking their screens it can be difficult to make sense of the transaction. Why were the Bears so ready to part with a running back with 3,370 yards over his first three professional seasons? How does the power back fit in the Eagles crowded backfield? What does this mean for the other names in that group?

The first question can most likely be chalked up to the brilliance of Mr. Roseman and the new age offense that Nagy has installed in Chicago. Still, it seems as if the Bears could have gotten more than a possible fifth-round pick. Nevertheless, Philly fans aren’t complaining and are ready to reap the rewards of a change of scenery for one of the most productive runners in the last three seasons.

Question number two requires a longer answer. After rumors that the Eagles staff were after Bell and Tevin Coleman in free agency, the move for a downhill runner like Howard is a few degrees away from a full one-eighty. The 6’0″ 224 pound thoroughbred isn’t known for his ability to stretch defenses in the passing game or turn handoffs into long weaving touchdowns. The run game in the City of Brotherly Love suffered dearly in 2018 after finishing third in 2017. Their 1,570 total yards on the ground slid them into a 28th place finish. What was perhaps the most disheartening was the team’s tally of 3.9 yards per tote and a long run of 32 yards. The team also mustered only seven runs of 20+ yards and 0 of 40+ all season. Until Darren Sproles returned from injury the whole carousel of players failed to move the meter in the passing game as well.

It’s more than fair to ask how Howard solves those issues. He has only twenty carries of 20+ yards in his career and is more of a quantity over quality type runner in terms of production. Moreover, his lack of production in the passing game has been well documented and we all know how much Head Coach Doug Pederson likes to get his backs involved in that facet. On the surface Howards fit in the offense is anything but harmonious.

It isn’t until the cohesion between the big back’s skill set and the Eagles offensive scheme are looked at in earnest that the puzzle pieces start to match up. It’s not just what Howard brings to the running game, but the possibilities he opens up for the rest of the offense. (Click the pages below to find out how)