By selecting veteran D’Andre Swift to be their main running back in 2024, the Chicago Bears made a risky move for their backfield. Now, as we approach training camp in 2024, the question is where Swift’s arrival leaves former starter Khalil Herbert and his expiring contract.
Adam Jahns of The Athletic suggested that being “on the bubble” might happen.
In The Athletic’s most recent roster projections, published on June 17, Jahns and colleague Kevin Fishbain selected Herbert to the Bears’ starting 53-man roster for the 2024 campaign. However, given the way Chicago has assembled its backfield, Jahns also entertained the idea that Herbert, a free agent in 2025, might be cut.
“Caleb Williams, a rookie quarterback, and the starters were also worked with by Herbert and Roschon Johnson, the 2023 fourth-round selection,” Jahns wrote. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be shocking if Herbert is viewed as being on the fringe at Halas Hall. The Bears signed Swift this year and picked Johnson last year; he is in a contract year.
If Khalil Herbert were released, he would get attention. It’s not just Jahns who believes Herbert’s roster security may be questionable. In fact, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report expanded on his conjecture regarding Herbert, speculating that the fourth-year running back would be among the five cut candidates “every NFL team is watching” during training camp and the run-up to the 2024 regular season opener.
“If the Bears want to continue without Herbert, there are man
Despite an injury limiting him to nine starts in 2023, Herbert led the Bears in rushing with 1,775 yards and eight touchdowns during 42 career games. However, with Swift and Johnson guaranteed through 2026, Ryan Poles’ front office may not have wanted to pursue Herbert, a 2021 sixth-round pick.
There are other reasons for the Bears to desire to see more from Johnson. In his first season, he ran 81 times for 352 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. He also added a third-high 34 receptions, trailing only DJ Moore (96) and Cole Kmet (73).
The Bears may determine that it would be better for Herbert and themselves to let Johnson go rather than forcing him into the No. 2 spot if he is prepared to take over as the starting quarterback.
Is Khalil Herbert a More Desirable Trade Candidate?
The Bears are considering cutting Herbert, and those reasons may become clearer as training camp goes on. The team still needs to thoroughly assess both of its running backs in action to ensure that benching Herbert and promoting Johnson to a more important 2024 role would not be considered a premature move.
But because of his background, Herbert is somewhat of a commodity for clubs trying to bolster their roster with another inexperienced but capable back. If
The backfield is still a need for the Dallas Cowboys. They lost Tony Pollard, their starting running back from 2023, to free agency. As a result, their only other alternatives for rushing are Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Royce Freeman. They re-signed Elliott for the 2024 season. The Cowboys may decide it is worthwhile to trade Herbert to the Bears for a mid- to late-round 2025 choice if they want to improve their locker room’s competitiveness.
Herbert might potentially be a good fit for the Las Vegas Raiders. In order to make up for Josh Jacobs’ departure via free agency, they signed Alexander Mattison to the roster and have high expectations for third-year running back Zamir White coming into the 2024 campaign. However, if either one falters in camp, Herbert can end up.
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