The Chicago Bears have improved their roster almost across the board. GM Ryan Poles said he wanted more depth and competition. He got it. Outside of quarterback, every position on offense saw its talent level improve. That is great for the team, but it also creates a tricky situation for certain players who may not know what their role is going into the 2024 season. Velus Jones might be in big trouble after multiple additions at wide receiver. Larry Borom can’t get comfortable after the arrival of 3rd round pick Kiran Amegadjie.
However, they aren’t the only ones. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune admitted that running back Khalil Herbert is also somebody on unstable ground going into the summer. It is a foregone conclusion that new arrival D’Andre Swift will be the starter. Since the third running back spot will go to a top special teams player, it means Herbert must fight for the #2 job with second-year man Roschon Johnson. This could present a problem since the latter has more proven versatility.
My first reaction is it will be tough for the third running back on the depth chart to get a uniform on game days because Travis Homer is one of the team’s top special teams players and likely to dress every week if he’s healthy. Homer was fifth on the roster in special teams snaps last season and got only six snaps on offense.
That puts Herbert in a competition with 2023 fourth-round draft pick Roschon Johnson to be the No. 2 running back behind D’Andre Swift. If Herbert can assert himself as the guy, he would have a spot in the offense for a few carries and some plays each game. The Bears could get a little more utility out of Johnson, who also was active on special teams last season, logging 152 snaps compared with one for Herbert.
So if you’re zeroed in on what the future could hold for Herbert, keep a close eye on how he and Johnson perform over the summer.
The Chicago Bears prefer players who can do more than one thing.
Herbert doesn’t fall into that category. No one can dispute his rushing prowess—he has averaged 4.9 yards per carry in his career—but the problems lie elsewhere. He is not much of a receiving threat, only catching 43 passes across three seasons with three drops. On top of that, he is a liability in pass protection. Herbert has allowed nine pressures on the quarterback in 101 snaps for his career. There were numerous times when he outright missed his assignments, leading to free rushers at the quarterback.
Johnson wasn’t overly successful running the ball as a rookie, but he was stout in pass protection, showcased capable hands as a receiver, and made two tackles on special teams. If things play out as Biggs says, the Chicago Bears will have a decision to make on Herbert. Do they keep him around as insurance in case somebody gets hurt, or do they trade him to another team needing running back help? Poles isn’t usually one to sacrifice good depth players, but finding capable running backs isn’t difficult. If another team is interested in Herbert, he may pull the trigger.
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Gena “logic”
This is how she thinks. She said:
“Khan is a fair comparison to Poles because they both became GMs in 2022.”
Therefore Paul McCartney must be a fair comparison to John Wayne Gacy because they were both born in 1942. 😀
@TGena When you explain your opinions like you just did, it makes complete sense. I have to agree with you on all of the points you just made. It would be hard to argue against them. Yet, when you comment on Poles being a “perpetual rookie GM” among other things, it comes off very negative. Thanks for the clarification, I enjoyed your response.
@PoochPest and @Chubbs23 — “The greatest general manager in sports history goes by the last name of Hindsight.” — Bill Huber I understand that. You two understand that. So none of us engages in the practice of applying our 20/20 vision in hindsight. Rather, we express our views of the Chicago Bears team — from our unique perspective. I’ve never been to Halas Hall, “Pooch” — so yes, like most of us, I rely on many, many sources. And, I question all of them, to some degree (as I assume most of us do, too). I’ve never met the Steelers’… Read more »
@TGena I usually enjoy most of your intelligent observations regarding football. What I can’t stand is your hard on for Kahn, and your hatred for poles. Beyond the mistakes Ryan Poles has made, which is inevitable in life, as well as how you learn and grow. You seem intelligent enough to clearly see this will be the best team the bears have fielded since 85 or 06. Especially on the offensive side of the ball. Thanks to Ryan Poles. I promise you it wasn’t ownership making these calls. The ones who live in the twilight zone.
Remember when Justin Fields broke Khalil Herbert’s ankle with a pass where Herbert was wide open? Man, we should have kept that guy as our QB!!!
Herbert isn’t going anywhere! He will be one of 4 backs, Blasingame will get cut. If Herbert goes anywhere it will be via trade.