Packed with first-round picks and high-profile free agents, the Miami Dolphins aim to consistently make their franchise one of the best in the league.
It’s the lure of being part of this monumental shift that beckoned the Jordan Howard runner towards the Fins. Preparing to play for his third team in so many seasons, Howard’s motivation for joining a franchise in rebuild mode once again lies in building a change.
“I just liked the opportunity it presented,” Howard told the Sun Florida Sentinel del Sur. “I felt like we were changing things down here, I just wanted to be a part of that. I was part of a change in Chicago, so I embraced that kind of thing.”
As the Chicago Bears’ leader for three seasons, Howard’s final campaign in Windy City was a memorable 2018 in which he helped his team go from worst to first. He is more than happy to do that again with the Dolphins after a unique stay with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Dolphins certainly need a boost in their career game, after a 2019 season in which quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s 243 yards led the team. In contrast, Howard had a shoulder injury that limited him last season, holding him in four starts and 10 games, but his disappointing 525 rushing yards still more than doubled the Dolphins’ field winner.
As a rookie in 2016, Howard revitalized the Bears’ quick attack, presenting a Pro Bowl season with 1,313 yards and 5.2 yards per carry. He followed it with a second consecutive 1,000-yard season, but he has not yet returned to the Pro Bowl or equaled his rookie totals in yards and yards per carry. His yardage has receded every season since then, but the 26-year-old workhorse doesn’t think he has to prove his worth to anyone but the guy carrying the ball. However, it looks like he has a bit of the proverbial chip on his shoulder.
“I really don’t have anything to prove to anyone but myself that I can still be that kind of player,” said Howard, who signed a two-year, $ 6.72 million contract with the Dolphins. “[I] I just feel like I’m one of the best in the game, even [if] people don’t give me respect or credit or anything like that.
“I’m still here trying to show what I can do.”
Along with joining a new team for the second year in a row comes having to learn a new offense in the midst of the most unpredictable and unpredictable offseason likely in league history, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It has definitely been different,” said Howard. “Just not being around the guys, especially being on a new team and things like that and just making Zoom calls and learning the playbook, just through online meetings and things like that. It’s definitely been different, but I feel like We’ve been making the most of our circumstances, just doing all the work we can. I definitely feel like we’re in good shape, but the good shape and form of football are different. So it’s going to be a period of adjustment. “
Howard said helping other Dolphins train has helped, particularly in terms of learning the new offense. However, he is concerned about the new coronavirus as the pandemic continues.
“I’m definitely worried, because it’s been going on for a while,” said Howard. “I definitely didn’t think it was going to be that big or it would continue around this time, it seems like they really can’t get it and they like a trigger and what’s causing it. It’s definitely a lot unknown.” I feel like the unknown is the scariest part. It is definitely a big concern. “
