Bears Must Part Ways With Demoted Veteran at Trade Deadline

As the Nov. 5 NFL trade deadline nears, Chicago Bears fans are wondering if their team will be buyers or sellers in the coming weeks. Although the Bears' 4-2 record has them looking like a potential playoff team, they currently only have a 32% chance to qualify for the postseason, per NFL Next Gen Stats.

In other words, the Bears could sell off some veteran players for draft picks to come back even stronger in 2025.

If that's the case and general manager Ryan Poles is open to trimming some fat, a certain veteran seems like a likely candidate to be moved.

Bears Should Trade RB Khalil Herbert Before Deadline

Khalil Herbert was a big part of the Bears' backfield. From 2021 to 2023, the former Virginia Tech runner amassed 2,062 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 407 touches while starting in 12 of 42 appearances during that stretch.

Fast forward to the 2024 season and Herber has become a complete afterthought in offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's plans.

Although he's appeared in each of the Bears' six games thus far, Herbert has only been on the field for 27 offensive snaps compared to 64 on special teams. He found the end zone once in those appearances, however, that isn't nearly good enough to negate the fact that he's averaging a career-low 2.0 yards on eight carries.

With D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson solidifying themselves as the Bears' top running backs, it's clear that there isn't much of a need for Herbert. His future in the Windy City is even grimmer given that he's playing on an expiring rookie contract. It makes sense that the Bears would rather trade him now — even if it's only for a late draft pick — instead of losing him for nothing in free agency.

The good news for the Bears is that they should be able to find suitors for Herbert's services. Teams like the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs have been dealing with injury-plagued backfields while the Dallas Cowboys are looking for any potential ways to upgrade their rushing production.

There are less than three weeks until the NFL trade deadline. With how things are shaping up, it wouldn't be surprising if Herbert's time with the Bears ends before that.

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