3 Bears Playing for Their Jobs Coming Out of the Bye Week
2. Khalil Herbert: Running Back
Like Jenkins, Khalil Herbert is a former Ryan Pace draft pick entering the final year of his rookie contract. After the departure of David Montgomery, Herbert was the lead offensive back last year. He had an opportunity to take control of the situation, but it did not pan out.
Herbert has seen little or no action this season, and his name has been in trade rumors. The Minnesota Vikings inquired about his trade availability, but nothing has transpired.
Behind signing D'Andre Swift in the offseason, Swift and Herbert were supposed to be a dynamic 1-2 punch for rookie quarterback Williams. It has not happened. Instead, the Bears have relied on Swift and second-year man Roschon Johnson.
Swift has been carrying the grunt of the workload load, and Johnson is doing the dirty work on the goal line and third down. There is nowhere left for Herbert to play. He no longer has a role on the team and is expected to get extended playing time on a different team.
If the Bears decide to trade him to a division rival, expect the Bears to ask for higher compensation than usual. The NFC North is the best and toughest division to play against this season. The Bears should not give away any talent for mere peanuts.
Poles will likely wait it out and see if there is a substantial offer elsewhere before deciding to part ways with Herbert. He can still receive valuable playing time and prove his value to the team by raising his level of play.
The Bears could still have a dominant and strong running back room. It can be one of the best in the league. Herbert has always strived to be the second running back on a deep team. He has never shown the potential of being an elite number-one option, but his talent does not go unnoticed.
Unlike previous Ryan Pace picks, like Cody Whitehair, Eddie Jackson, and Larry Borom, Herbert has better potential to earn a contract extension and a spot if given the opportunity. Poles is not afraid to extend the previous regime's draft selections. He extended both Jaylon Johnson and Cole Kmet.
The possibility is there, and Herbert has not shown it so far. Expect him to be traded at the deadline or released during the offseason if he doesn't get an opportunity soon.