Former Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert has had a tough road since departing the franchise near the end of the 2024 season. With it clear it was no longer a fit for the backup role, the veteran was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he didn't offer much production. The franchise would quickly move on from him in the offseason, which led to a short stint with the Indianapolis Colts (failing to survive roster cuts). He's been unemployed since, but his fortunes turned in Week 4.
The Seattle Seahawks have signed Herbert to a practice squad deal after losing depth back Jacardia Wright to injured reserve.
Khalil Herbert Fighting an Uphill Battle to Reclaim NFL Relevance
Despite finally finding a new job, earning any meaningful snaps is going to be a difficult battle for the Bears' former sixth-round pick. Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonet are cemented as the first two options in the Seattle backfield, with George Holani seeming to earn increased trust by the week as the RB3. Barring injury, it is impossible to see how Herbert is going to break into Seattle's current rotation.
Herbert's career has been solid for a late-round pick, with 1,905 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns to his name. The fact that he has had such a hard time finding any work (let alone a job on an active roster) speaks to the league growing increasingly deep at the skill positions. It's also a bad sign for Herbert's NFL future.
And for the Bears, it is understandable that a reunion wasn't in the cards even as Herbert sat on the open market.
As an inefficient receiver throughout his career, Herbert isn't a great fit for Ben Johnson's offense. Adding in his declining production in 2023 before seeing his role disappear entirely in 2024, and the front office has had plenty of chances to analyze a potential fit.
Still, it is easy to pull for Herbert's underdog story to continue with the back finding a way to make enough noise on the Seattle practice squad to eventually make his way back on to an NFL field.