NFL Trade Deadline 2018: One deal each team should make

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: Patrick Peterson #21 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates an interception by teammate Antoine Bethea #41 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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Chicago Bears: Get what you can for Jordan Howard

The Chicago Bears are perhaps the biggest surprise of the NFL this year. Led by former Oakland Raider Khalil Mack, “Da Bears” are making football fun again in the Windy City. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky has seen massive improvement in his second professional season, and Tarik Cohen has become a favorite running back target of rookie head coach Matt Nagy.

This has left Jordan Howard as the odd man out. Yes, the centerpiece of Chicago’s offense from 2017 has seen himself cast aside following a head coaching and scheme change. Howard came out of nowhere in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and Chicago loved him in his first two seasons. But the times, of course, are a-changing.

Howard is no longer needed in Chicago, and the Bears need to cut out the extra fat from the roster. Before his value declines too much, general manager Ryan Pace needs to get his finger on the pulse of what Howard’s value is. If the Bears can tear away a premium draft pick for Howard, they should pull the trigger immediately.

It’s unlikely that Howard will see his carries go up again as Matt Nagy’s tenure as head coach continues. The Bears can afford to move on from Jordan Howard, and hardly miss a beat while doing it.

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