Miami Dolphins running back Jordan Howard indicated in a recent interview that his reason for signing with the team was because he’s eager to be a part of the franchise’s turnaround.
Howard spoke with Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel and said that the chance to make his mark was appealing and familiar thanks to his experience as a former member of the Chicago Bears.
“I just liked the opportunity it presented,” Howard said. “I felt like we’re turning things around down here, I just wanted to be a part of that. I was part of a turnaround in Chicago, so I embrace those type of things.”
Despite being a fifth-round pick of the Bears in the 2016 draft, Howard quickly made his mark in three seasons with the team by gaining 3,370 yards and rushing for 24 touchdowns over that span.
The 25-year-old Howard’s first two seasons in Chicago saw him rush for more than 1,000 yards. He narrowly missed that milestone in 2018, finishing with 935 yards on the year.
He was traded by the Bears to the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2018 campaign, but injuries limited him to 10 games last season. He finished the year with just 525 yards.
Howard dismissed the idea that resurfacing with the Dolphins was a way to show that he can be a standout running back again.
“I really don’t have anything to prove to anybody, just to myself that I can still be that type of player,” Howard said. “[I] just feel like I’m one of the top backs in the game, even [if] people don’t give me respect or credit or anything like that.”
Due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic, Howard has been unable to take the field with his teammates. However, that’s expected to change when the Dolphins are scheduled to open up their training camp later this month.
A healthy Howard has previously put his talents on display, with the Dolphins hoping that he can give them the boost to make a push this season and beyond.
