Shortly after minicamp ended in June, we heard that Bears running back Khalil Herbert could be on the roster bubble. That is no longer the case, with Adam Jahns of The Athletic (subscription required) noting that Chicago needs Herbert and that his place on the club seems secure.
Just last year, it was reported that Herbert was the frontrunner to take over primary back duties following the departure of David Montgomery. Despite the 2023 offseason additions of D’Onta Foreman and Roschon Johnson, Herbert was the obvious candidate for the job, as he showcased high-end potential as Montgomery’s backup in each of the prior two years. During that time, Herbert tallied 1,164 rushing yards on 232 carries (over 5.0 yards per attempt) and six TDs.
Herbert, 26, did indeed open the 2023 campaign as Chicago’s RB1, but given the rushing prowess of former quarterback Justin Fields and the fact that the Bears suffered double-digit losses in each of their first thee games of the season, he totaled just 23 totes in that span. He unfortunately sustained a high ankle sprain in Week 5 and landed on injured reserve as a result.
He reclaimed his starting job near the end of the season and posted two 100-yard performances in Weeks 16 and 17, displaying the burst that the club had become familiar with. The Bears knew, however, that they would be drafting QB Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, and as part of their efforts to surround Williams with as much talent as possible, they signed RB D’Andre Swift to a three-year, $24MM contract in March.
The addition of a Pro Bowl running back, plus the continued presence of Johnson and Travis Homer, made Herbert a potential cut or trade candidate earlier in the summer. However, Herbert is still cheap — the 2021 sixth-rounder is making just over $1MM this year, the final year of his rookie deal — he has just 364 career carries, and he managed to post 4.6 yards per attempt last season despite an ankle injury and despite playing on a below-average offense.
As Jahns notes, this may be Herbert’s last season with the team. Nonetheless, the club clearly plans to contend in 2024, and as such, it makes plenty of sense to retain a talented, inexpensive back who can serve as one more weapon in an offensive attack that suddenly looks quite dangerous (depending, of course, on Williams’ development).
I never understood why anybody would want to get rid of Herbert in the first place. Unless they could get a 3rd round pick in a trade( Unlikely) then he’s much more valuable as a Bear. Let’s face it Swift isn’t exactly Jim Brown durable and neither is Johnson so his value is here. With Ian Wheeler looking like a definite Practice squad depth addition Velus Jones seems to be the one who’s easiest to move on from. Bears RB room is solid if not spectacular. But solid should work with the passing game the Bears should have.
Not only would I NOT get rid of Herbert but I would have him starting over Swift. Herbert averages a turnover every 203 touches while Swift fumbles away the ball every 87 touches. That’s a significant difference and the team that wins the turnover battle frequently walks off the field with a victory.
Hebert is a solid running back. The problem is he’s a terrible pass blocker and every team knows it. It’s like telegraphing a running play when he goes in.
And putting Blasingame in doesn’t? from what I’ve seen so far, Obie, Baskerville and Hardy have been special team studs. Not to mention the Bears have like 9 safeties here in camp. Seems as if you want someone to tackle people on special teams, They’d be much better at it than a RB(Homer). Homer makes twice as much and has no noticeable skill I can see. If the Bears use Lewis as the lead back he can either protect Williams, block or even catch a dump off pass and be much more useful than Homer or Blasingame. Plus Herbert has been much better at catching the ball so I don’t agree necessarily with your assessment.
He is a notoriously unreliable receiver and terrible blocker. That’s a fact. Who knows-maybe he will suddenly improve in those areas, otherwise defenses know it’s probably a run coming up when he goes in. That was my point. And I said nothing about Blasingame being better. Regardless, Herbert’s weaknesses are why they signed Swift.
Plus I doubt Jones, Blasingame or Homer will be here either. I really never understood what Homer does. He sucks as a RB and I can’t remember him making any kind of contribution on Special teams. Blasingame hasn’t even played in the pre season, Or if he has he’s been invisible. I can see the Bears playing 3 WR offense, 2 TE offense, Empty backfield offense, But I can’t really see them playing a FB offense at all. And if they do, Marcedes Lewis can be that guy as a blocker. So one of Lewis or Blasingame is redundant. If the Bears start with Swift, Herbert, and Johnson with Wheeler on the practice squad I’d be more than happy. Plus the 4 million they’d save on Homer and Blasingame can surely be used someplace else on cut down day.
Blasingame fit with the last offensive scheme, not sure he’s necessary anymore, I like Herbert as a strict runner but his pass blocking is abhorrent, they should just continue their churn with him and let him ride out his rookie deal, same as jordan Howard same as Montgomery and grab one of the rookies next year, omarion Hampton in the 2nd or something because they have the extra capital would be cool
Not in favor of using a 2nd round pick on a RB unless every other position is 2 deep. There are RB’s galore available in FA every year( Swift) And Poles should hang on to his 1st, 2 2nds and 3rd. I wouldn’t have been happy trading that 3rd for a 32 year old DE who is average at best. The Bears will need to solidify the interior of the OL next year and those 4 picks should be used for a DE and a WR to replace Allen and 2 OL. C-G, 2 G’s and they’ll still probably have to dip into FA because Jenkins(?), Davis( Gone) and Shelton will be FA’s. If Jenkins and Allen leave in FA you would have to thoink the Bears would at least get a decent Compensatory pick back, Providing they don’t spend a bunch.
Plus you people who say Herbert is a terrible blocker have to remember he was blocking for a guy who was never where he was supposed to be( Fields). Anybody notice how the Steelers OL line with all their high picks suddenly looks horrible when Fields plays? I have. I’ve noticed so far that Williams stays where he’s supposed to be and goes through his progressions until he has to move around and then he still is trying to pass. Where the Bears WR’s just gave up when Field ran because they knew they’d never see the ball. It’s hard to pass protect in the NFL. It’s next to impossible when the dork you’re blocking for is running around like a headless chicken. I’ve seen no such problem with Williams. Other than Davis being a horrible fail.
I think Ian Wheeler is a near lock for the 53. Wheeler possibly could slip through waivers unless there are teams lurking (Indy was pursuing Wheeler as UDFA and has claimed Bears’ waivers, which Poles is aware). Wheeler is likely top 3 on the roster as KR, open field runner, blocking back & ST gunner, plus has three+ years of cheap control as UDFA & brilliant IQ, too risky imo to risk losing and more valuable overall than Velus, Herbert, or Homer, each of whom lack a thing or two. He will make the 53 as UDFA imo.
What that would portend for Herbert isn’t certain. He’s cheap, great runner, but injury prone and FA next season. Herbert could get a multi year offer over the min, meaning he could help them get a 3rd round comp pick if Allen or Jenkins leave, as well as Sanborn. More value keeping him.
13 skill position players (5 WR, 4 RB, and 4 TE/HB) allows the Bears to keep 9 O-lineman & 3 QB on 53, assuming even D & O split of 25 each. My guess is that Collin Johnson joins Allen, Moore, Odunze & Scott at WR. Kmet, Everett, Lewis & Carlson at TE. Swift, Johnson & Wheeler for 3 of four RBs, leaving Herbert, Velus, Homer, Blasingame, and Carter vying for that last O-roster spot. My guess is that Herbert “wins” that last spot despite potentially being their best pure rusher. At least that’s my logic.
I don’t see any way that Homer, Wheeler or Carlson make this team. i think the Bears keep 6 LB’s and 10 OL. Swift, Herbert and Johnson are locks. Wheeler will hit the waiver wire and I hope he makes it through. The wild card is like you said he has brains and wants to be a DR and can he do that and be on a practice squad? No idea. Barring a deal or an injury I don’t see how he’s here. Sanborn Edmund, Edwards, Sewell, Obie and Baskerville are all valuable. It’s going to be interesting cut down day for sure. What happened to your other posts? They disappeared.
Bears scouted Wheeler for too long, know his ceiling, and know which other GMs tried to sign him (Ballard). He indicated a long standing relationship with Poles and I do believe he’s a lock for the 53.
Defense seems easy to project: 10 DBs, 9 DL and 6 LBs…pretty clear who 24 of those 25 are. 1 DL may be their trade target and 1 LB from Baskerville & Sewell.
I removed first post, reconsidered Herbert as a lock. But the comp compensation next year & depth seem a reason to keep him this year.
Agreed that Carlson may lose out to Blasingame…4th TE could be one of those or a claim, but they’ll have 4.
I like Herbert but wouldn’t mind trading him and keeping wheeler as rb3. Herbert is like pollard better in a comp role. Not being the lead dog
Herbert over Homer all day why is this even an article