Report disputes earlier talk of Jordan Howard-Jarvis Landry trade
Jordan Howard has been the undeniable star of the Chicago Bears offense over these last few, dark years. Is it possible he could be on his way out of town?
According to NBC Sports Chicago’s John Mullin, the Bears have discussed sending Howard and the 8th overall pick the 2018 NFL draft to the Miami Dolphins for wideout Jarvis Landry, the 11th overall pick and a third round pick.
Later in the day, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport indicated the deal is unlikely to happen and that it may have never even been discussed.
Worth noting: There is zero desire by the #Bears to trade RB Jordan Howard, sources say. Doesn’t sound like there will be any splashy Jarvis Landry for Howard deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 3, 2018
Hear this wasn’t even discussed. https://t.co/Bs8UqNQU1l
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 3, 2018
The idea of the trade seemed odd in the first place. The Bears desperately need help at receiver — especially if quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is going to take the next step during his sophomore year — but parting with the most reliable member of the offense is as steep a price to pay as there is for Chicago.
Unsurprisingly, there was a lot of backlash over the reported move, including from Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long.
Some things suck in the NFL, damn.
— Kyle (@Ky1eLong) March 3, 2018
It’s gods plan but I can’t see soldier field without 24 in it https://t.co/YxjnYzJ5zv
— Kyle (@Ky1eLong) March 3, 2018
When you’ve lost your offensive line, you’ve lost the city. Or something like that.
Howard is still just 23 years old and has recorded 2,435 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns in two seasons. At 25 years old, Landry has 4000 yards and 22 touchdowns in four seasons with Miami.
Complicating matters further is Landry’s current contract situation. The Dolphins recently placed the franchise tag on the wideout, who is looking for a long-term contract and working to facilitate a trade out of Miami.
The Bears would essentially be trading a young, cheap and trustworthy running back for an older, more expensive receiver while also moving down in the draft order, if those terms are indeed the only way to get this deal done.
New head coach Matt Nagy and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich are still piecing together an identity for the Bears, and emphasizing passing with a young quarterback is certainly going to be part of that plan. How much Chicago general manager Ryan Pace is willing to sacrifice to get there is now the biggest question.
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Blake Schuster is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Schustee
