The Chicago Bears have spent the last few NFL offseasons hoping to shore up its group of talented players on offense. However, there is no question that running back Jordan Howard will still be the focal point on that side of the ball.

New head coach Matt Nagy is well-aware of what his workhorse is capable of since coming into the league. According to Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times, Howard says Nagy has informed him of his integral role on offense going into the 2018 NFL season:

The truth is Nagy always had a place in mind for Howard — “He already said I’m going to be the main guy,” Howard said — and the Bears never had any real interest in trading him.

Howard's comments should come as no surprise. He has been the lone bright spot in the Bears' offense since he was taken in the fifth-round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Despite playing for a team starved of playmakers, Howard has kickstarted his NFL career with back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns.

He avoided the dreaded sophomore slump last season by rushing for 1,122 yards and nine touchdowns while tacking on 23 receptions for 125 yards. That said, there is no question that Howard has established himself as a premier bell-cow back.

However, even he acknowledged that Chicago needs to surround quarterback Mitchell Trubisky with some more talent. Needless to say, the Bears have obliged with the addition of wide receiver Allen Robinson and tight end Try Burton this offseason. Not to mention, the emergence of Trubisky and running back Tarik Cohen gives an added dynamic to the new offense. Although there may be more touches to go around, Howard will be able to take better advantage of them now that he is not the only focus of opposing defenses.