The Chicago Bears have a fresh outlook for 2018, and running back Jordan Howard has considerably high expectations for the franchise next season.
During an appearance on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, Howard said the Bears will reach the playoffs.
“The Bears are definitely going to have a winning season. We’re going to get to the playoffs. So I guarantee we get to the playoffs.”
The quote itself isn’t a novel concept, because it’s not like Howard will say, “Our team is terrible and three wins would be great.”
However, after a 5-11 season with a rookie quarterback, it’s really not illogical that Chicago could improve from a below-average team to a legitimate playoff contender. The Bears had a top-10 defense, but Trubisky was young, the coaching staff rarely put the game in his hands and the receiving group was terribly thin.
If first-year coach Matt Nagy can turn the offense into a reasonably competitive unit, Chicago should at least be a .500 team. With a fortunate bounce and a lucky break, the Bears could be a wild-card possibility.
We’re not going to trust Chicago at this point, but Howard’s guarantee isn’t as far-fetched as it may seem.