Eagles Stay or Go 2022: Run it back with Jordan Howard?

Reuben Frank and Dave Zangaro bring back Stay or Go in 2022, trying to figure out the futures of every Eagles player on the roster.

We already looked at receivers and cornerbacks.

Up today: Running backs.

Kenny Gainwell

Roob: What Gainwell was able to do this year as a 5th-round rookie was awfully impressive. He became only the seventh rookie in the last 35 years drafted in the 5th round or later with 250 yards both rushing and receiving – and only the fifth to score six TDs along the way. Nonetheless, in nine of 18 games, Gainwell had three or fewer touches. He needs to be a bigger part of the offense in 2022.

Verdict: Stays

Dave: It was kind of a weird up-and-down year for Gainwell. There was a time where he looked like the featured back and then he was inactive for a game in the middle there. But by the end of the season, the numbers were impressive. He had 544 scrimmage yards and 6 touchdowns as a rookie. There’s a lot of promise with Gainwell and Nick Sirianni clearly seems to like his fit in the offense. Gainwell might never be the feature guy, especially in a run-heavy offense like the Eagles were last year, but he’s a great complementary piece. And he’s going to have a chance to build on a promising first season.

Verdict: Stays

Jordan Howard

Roob: I love the way Howard runs the ball. I love his determination and his willingness to go from being a Pro Bowler to a practice squadder if it meant reviving his career. I love what he brought to the table when Miles Sanders got hurt last year. But he keeps getting hurt. He hasn’t played more than four games in a row since the middle of 2019, and I don’t know how you can count on him going into 2022. Now, if Howard is available and the Eagles need a back as the year goes on, I’d be thrilled to bring him back. But he shouldn’t be part of the Eagles’ initial plan.

Verdict: Goes

Dave: We saw some resurgence from Howard in 2021 but then he suffered a stinger again and wasn’t himself down the stretch. Howard was barely used in the playoff game in Tampa. He’s still just 27 but Howard might not have a ton of tread left on his tires. He’s set to become a free agent and it’s probably time for the Eagles to move on and find another cheap, but younger battering ram.

Verdict: Goes

Jason Huntley

Roob: All we have to go on is a cameo in the second Dallas game where he showed some of the same spark we saw every day at training camp. Huntley has return ability, he’s quick and elusive,  a decent receiver, and this could change if the Eagles draft a running back in the first four rounds, but Huntley showed enough that I think the Eagles will bring him back as a fourth running back and key special teamer.

Verdict: Stays

Dave: I really like Huntley and it’s a tough decision. Huntley has plenty of juice. We saw it last year in training camp and then Huntley made the most of his opportunities in the season too. But if the Eagles draft another running back — and I think there’s a good chance they do — then the numbers game gets really tricky. Keeping five running backs on the roster is very tough and for that reason I have him off the roster. But this was one of the tougher decisions of this series.

Verdict: Goes

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Miles Sanders

Roob: I know there’s a school of thought that the Eagles should trade Sanders while they can, but I’ll be shocked if he’s not here in 2022, and not only that I think they’ll sign him to an extension. I know he’s been banged up a ton, but Sanders is too good to get rid of. His 5.0 career average is 8th-highest all-time among RBs with 500 carries, higher than every Hall of Fame running back other than Jim Brown. You can sign him inexpensively, and if the injuries turn out to be too much, he won’t kill your cap. You don’t give up on a 24-year-old talent like this because of a few injuries.

Verdict: Stays

Dave: Sanders averaged 5.5 yards per carry in 2021 and would have had a career year … but the injuries. In fact, the last two years have really been marred by injuries for the Eagles’ top running back. He played in just 12 games last year and just 12 games this year, although he did return from a broken hand to play in the playoffs in 2021. I’ve seen some wonder if the Eagles would trade Sanders as he enters the final year of his rookie contract but that seems unlikely. He’s their best running back and while he’s not perfect, he is talented. And if Sanders can stay healthy, he could earn a new contract.

Verdict: Stays

Boston Scott

Roob: All Scott does is produce whenever he’s asked. There were nine games last year he had 6 or fewer snaps, yet when you look at his final numbers – nearly 400 rushing yards, nearly 500 scrimmage yards, eight touchdowns in just 101 touches – you realize just how valuable he is. Scott is a restricted free agent, so the Eagles would need to tender him about $2.4 million to make sure they don’t lose him. Heck, I’ll go one better. Sign him to a long-term deal as RB2. He won’t break the bank, and he’s earned it.

Verdict: Stays

Dave: Scott is a restricted free agent so the Eagles will have a decision to make. If they tender him, he’s going to come with a price tag of over $2 million in 2022, which might be too rich for them. If they let him hit the market, then there’s a chance they lose him. Ultimately, I think the Eagles figure out a way to keep Scott as as complementary player with Sanders and Gainwell. He might be short in stature but Sanders is a tough between-the-tackles runner and is great at the goal line. And his value to the Eagles is probably higher than how other teams value him.

Verdict: Stays