Eagles’ Doug Pederson told Jordan Howard trade rumors were false

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson had to have a discussion with running back Jordan Howard regarding some rumors lately.

The last couple of months have been quite interesting for the Philadelphia Eagles front office. As multiple significant names sat on the trade block around the league, Howie Roseman and company have been working the phones trying to wheel and deal.

Last week, the Eagles were trying to get defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney from the Texans. While multiple outlets confirm the Eagles were in on the action and did submit offers — in the end, they came up short. This week, the Eagles were attempting to get another running back in Melvin Gordon. At least, that’s what’s being said.

Earlier in the week, a report came out about the situation with Melvin Gordon and the Los Angeles Chargers. As Gordon refuses to play without a new contract (which they won’t offer), the Chargers are taking calls regarding the young running back.

Lately, his trade market has been relatively dry. However, there was rumored to be one team that was sincerely interested and even put an offer on the table. The following day, it was ‘confirmed’ that the Philadelphia Eagles were the mystery team. And the offer? Jordan Howard and a third-round pick in exchange for Gordon.

Doug Pederson won’t confirm

Ever since the news came out about the rumored trade, everybody has been wondering what Jordan Howard is thinking. As we know, the Eagles just acquired Howard a few months back in a deal with the Chicago Bears. Now, it sounds like the Eagles are trying to trade him.

Considering Howard is on the final year of his rookie deal, it seems unlikely the Eagles have long-term plans for him. As they just drafted Miles Sanders with a second-round pick and still have Corey Clement, the idea of Howard being a one-year rental makes total sense.

Doug Pederson won’t let the running back know that though. On Friday, Coach Pederson was asked about the rumored offer and quickly shot down that notion that the Eagles were on the phone offering up Howard for another back.

“The reason why you’re here is to win games,” Pederson told Howard during a discussion shortly after the rumors took place. As we know, the Eagles will engage with trade talks with just about any team if someone is available. So hearing that they were trying to better the backfield by getting a proven top back with Melvin Gordon doesn’t seem far fetched.

However, now that the deal wasn’t accepted and the news is out there, Pederson and the Eagles’ coaching staff had to do some damage control.

Regardless of what Howard believes, he still remains on the Eagles until further notice. And knowing that he’s on a contract year and was potentially dealt twice in the same offseason should be more than enough motivation for him to want to prove his doubters wrong in 2019.