Will Trade Deadline Give Bears’ Khalil Herbert A Second Chance?

Remember Khalil Herbert?

The 26-year-old running back has become a forgotten man with the Bears adding D’Andre Swift in free agency and Roschon Johnson in the 2023 draft. He was a healthy inactive on Sunday for the third consecutive week and finds himself on the list of players who could be traded by the NFL deadline on Tuesday.

But credit Herbert for playing a valuable role in a series of Ryan Poles decisions that have positioned the Bears for an upwardly mobile future. Herbert’s play during the Bears’ 3-13 season in 2022 made it easier for Poles to allow David Montgomery to leave after four seasons as the leading rusher.

The transition from Montgomery to Swift is part of the roster construction designed for long-term success, with a younger core built to win as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams learns through hard knocks. He took his share of those on Sunday in Arizona, when the Cardinals pounced Chicago 29-9.

Nothing against Montgomery, of course. He has been a terrific addition for the Detroit Lions, who have become the team to beat in the NFC North. But the timing wasn’t right for Poles to extend him after he inherited a roster with holes everywhere.

Herbert, a sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft who played at Virginia Tech and Kansas, signed a four-year deal for about $3.6 million. He’s shared the backfield with Montgomery in his second season. He was virtually his equal, rushing for only 70 less yards (801-731) while earning better grades than Montgomery from Pro Football Focus.

Montgomery signed a three-year, $18 million deal with the Lions as Poles largely tore down the roster he inherited from Ryan Pace. He signed a two-year, $18.25 million extension in October, meaning he’ll remain in Detroit through 2027, his age-30 season.