It was a disastrous 2017 NFL season for the Chicago Bears, to say the least. However, that has not deterred running back Jordan Howard from setting the bar high for next year.

The Bears finished an abysmal 5-11 and have plenty of lingering questions going into the NFL offseason. Regardless, Howard officially guaranteed Chicago will make the playoffs next season during an appearance on Good Morning Football:

“The Bears are definitely going to have a winning season,” Howard said. “We’re going to get to the playoffs. So I guarantee we get to the playoffs.”

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This is not the first time one of their star players guaranteed a lofty goal in the offseason. Former Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery promised the team would win Super Bowl LII. Unfortunately for Chicago, Jeffery ultimately wound up accomplishing his goal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Due to his wording at the time, the former Pro Bowler says his promise still has merit.

Howard has now set a much more reasonable goal for the Bears to live up to in the 2018 NFL season. It goes without saying that he will play a major role in whatever success they have next year as one of the lone bright spots in the Bears' lackluster offense over the last two seasons.

Howard followed up on his stellar rookie campaign with a second straight 1,000-yard season. However, it is clear that the lack of weapons around him will continue to limit his production. That said, the Bears will need to have a spectacular offseason if they are to legitimately contend for the playoffs next year.