Recent history shows how Jordan Howard trade could benefit Bears

Ryan Pace decided to part with a piece of the Bears’ offense, a seemingly-important piece to have around quarterback Mitch Trubisky who led the team in an offensive category in the past.

That could’ve been the lede to a story a year ago about the Bears not matching the New Orleans Saints’ offer sheet for then-restricted free agent wide receiver Cameron Meredith. It applies now, too, in the aftermath of last week’s trade to ship running back Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2020 draft pick.

Broadly, the situation is similar to that of Howard: The Bears let go of a player they felt didn't fit their plans.

Of course, the specifics are different. The Bears knew Meredith’s medicals…