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Bears' Big Trade Deadline Move Does More Harm Than Good

By Joseph Grassano

Aug 10, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Aug 10, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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The Chicago Bears have traded Khalil Herbert to the Cincinnati Bengals for a seventh-round pick.

The Bears' decision to move on from Herbert has been telegraphed for days. For the last two weeks, Herbert has been a healthy scratch from the lineup. However, there have been signs of Herbert falling out of favor with the Bears all season.

Throughout the first six weeks when Herbert was active, he only logged 27 snaps. Although a dip in playing time was expected with the signing of D'Andre Swift, that significant decrease in playing time is inexcusable.

Over the past two seasons, Herbert has been in the top ten in yards per carry before. In 2022, Herbert led the league with 5.7 yards a carry. Then, last season, he was tied for eighth with 4.6 yards per carry.

Herbert's ability to rank so highly in yards per carry last season was impressive given he missed five games with an ankle injury. Once he returned, it took him some time to get his explosiveness back.

Herbert's return to form by the end of last season gave fans hope that he and Swift could be a good running back duo. Swift possesses great speed and elusiveness and is decent in pass protection. While Herbert's strengths are his speed, explosiveness, and balance after contact but he struggles in pass protection.

Apparently, Herbert's issues in pass protection were enough for the Bears offensive coaching staff, led by offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, to keep him off the field. Instead, second-year back Roschon Johnson, who the Bears like, became running back two.

Johnson, while better in pass protection and more powerful than Herbert, lacks the same level of explosiveness. An element the Bears need from more than just Swift in the running game.

At the end of the day, the Bears trading Herbert is another case of coaching malpractice. Any good offensive coordinator finds a way to get good players touches, which Waldron has failed to do all season.

If Herbert goes on a have a successful second half of the 2024 season with the Bengals, no Bears fans will be surprised.

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