3 Bears on Thin Ice Heading Into Bye Week

At this point, the only "downside" to the 2024 season for the Chicago Bears so far is the fact that they seemingly play in the most loaded division in football. Things have been going pretty darn well for Chicago, who is 4-2 after a trip across the pond to face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Bears have seen rapid growth and development from #1 overall pick Caleb Williams. Playmakers are stepping up. D'Andre Swift has become an impact player after a slow start. The defense is in the top five in total points allowed so far this season.

Things are looking really good for the Bears from a 10,000-foot perspective heading into their Week 7 bye week, but things aren't going well for everyone on the team. There are certain players who are either skating on thin ice or might have already fallen through the thin ice.

As we reflect on the first six games of the season and look at what lies ahead, which players are on thin ice for the Bears right now?

1. Khalil Herbert, Running Back

The Chicago Bears need to figure out a solution with running back Khalil Herbert ASAP. We've seen the emergence of free agent running back D'Andre Swift in recent weeks (and my fantasy team thanks him for that) but the Bears are also getting Roschon Johnson involved in the running game.

Those two players -- Swift and Johnson -- actually lead the team in total touches through the first six weeks of the season and they should be extremely valuable as the year rolls along. Khalil Herbert is a starting running back in this league stuck behind a couple of really good players and the Bears need to do right by Herbert and get him onto a roster where he can contribute.

So far this season, he's got just 10 total touches. I don't know that he's on thin ice for playing poorly, but he's on thin ice from a roster perspective, because the Bears shouldn't hold him hostage much longer.