The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired Jordan Howard from the Chicago Bears for a draft pick in 2020.

The Bears will get a sixth-round pick that can become a fifth-round pick, according to a source.

Philadelphia struggled on the ground last season, finishing 28th in rushing yards (1,570) and was second from the bottom in yards per attempt (3.9).

The NFL will begin the 2019 season with the Chicago Bears hosting the Green Bay Packers on the first Thursday of Week 1.

The NFL has typically led with the Super Bowl champion at home, but will begin its 100th season with a classic rivalry.

"As an organization, we are thrilled to be kicking off the 100th season of football in the NFL," Bears chairman George H. McCaskey said in a statement. "As a charter franchise, we cannot think of a better way to begin our centennial season than by hosting our longtime rival in prime time at Soldier Field."

The New England Patriots will play on Sunday Night Football at home with the Cleveland Browns a possible opponent.

The Oakland Raiders received the Best Transaction award by MIT for the Khalil Mack, which was explained by Richard Thaler.

Thaler won the 2017 Nobel Prize for Economics and has consulted with an NFL team about the value of draft choices and how to build a team.

Oakland received two first round picks, a third round pick and a fifth round pick for Mack and a second round pick.

“Here’s the argument,” Thaler said. “The Raiders are down, and they will be getting these [four] picks to help them rebuild their team. I believe the only way to win in football is to have players who play better than their salaries. Let’s stipulate that Mack is getting top-of-market value for his services, so it will be hard for him to play better than his salary. Let’s also stipulate Mack is worth the money. But is Mack worth all that money plus four good draft choices?

“Now Jon Gruden can build through these multiple high picks on rookie contracts instead of just having one great player being paid at a market rate. In fact, if Gruden were talking to me, I’d tell him to trade the number four pick for multiple picks. I’d trade down every year. If I had a pick in the top 10, and I wasn’t drafting a quarterback, I’d want to trade down every year. There is value in multiple high picks versus one pick in the top 10.”

Thaler believes the draft-trade value chart devised by Jimmy Johnson overvalues high picks.

“Teams still use that stupid chart,” he said. “That chart overvalues high picks. It’s a joke. High picks, to me, are over-valued stocks. Smart teams should have a portfolio manager, to basically analyze every draft decision or trade.” 

Thaler also believes NFL teams need to expand their analytics departments.

“Football,” Thaler said, “is way behind baseball and basketball. [Houston Rockets GM] Daryl Morey has a staff of I think 15 full-time analytics guys. Why wouldn’t you want to give yourself every edge when you’re building a team?”

The Green Bay Packers have agreed to sign Za'Darius Smith and Adrian Amos.

Smith, 26, was the sacks leader for the Baltimore Ravens with a career-best 8.5 last season. Smith underwent sports hernia surgery following the season, but he is expected to be ready for offseason workouts in the spring.

Amos started all 16 games at safety for the Bears.

The Chicago Bears have created $11 million in cap space by agreeing to a restructured deal with Khalil Mack.

The Bears are converting $13 million of Mack's base salary and roster bonus into a signing bonus.

Chicago has a window of increased cap flexibility with Mitchell Trubisky on his rookie contract.

The Chicago Bears have been approached by multiple teams on  a trade for Jordan Howard.

Howard, who is entering the final year of his original rookie contract at a base salary of $2.02 million, rushed for 935 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He also caught 20 passes for 145 yards.

Howard's fit in Matt Nagy's offense is unclear. Tarik Cohen handled the bulk of playing time at running back for the Bears in passing situations.

Howard made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season after rushing for 1,313 yards on 252 attempts.

The Chicago Bears have signed kicker Chris Blewitt after a tryout.

Blewitt spent four seasons kicking at the University of Pittsburgh, where he converted 55 of 79 attempts, including a long of 56 yards.

He was with the Bears in 2017 as part of their rookie minicamp.