After an impressive and highly underrated start to his NFL career with the Chicago Bears, Khalil Herbert hasn't been able to find a permanent home. He was dealt to the Cincinnati Bengals for a seventh-round pick at last season's trade deadline, but that stint didn't last very long, as Herbert tested free agency and signed with the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason.
Much to his dismay, he failed to make the roster and was cut before the season, and ended up on the Seahawks' practice squad.
Through the first four weeks of the season, the former Bears playmaker has yet to make his season debut. That may change after Thursday, when the New York Jets signed Herbert off Seattle's practice squad following the injury to their talented RB Braelon Allen, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Ex-Bear Khalil Herbert Has Perfect Chance to Revive Career with Jets
Herbert will be RB3 behind star RB Breece Hall and young rusher Isaiah Davis. His offensive role and touches will certainly be limited, but he could get more of an opportunity on special teams as a return man, thanks to his extensive experience in Chicago. Whether the 27-year-old can turn back the clock and make an impact, however, remains to be seen. At this point, though, the 0-4 Jets could get any help they can to get out of the misery they once again find themselves in.
One thing the Jets have going for them, however, is their running game. They rank third in the NFL in yards per carry with 5.2, and have the third-most rushing yards through four weeks. Breece Hall and quarterback Justin Fields are a constant threat in the ground game.
Herbert could act as a change-of-pace back in short spurts. During his early days in Chicago, Herbert was one of the most efficient rushers in the league, averaging a whopping 5.7 yards per carry in 2022 and 4.6 YPC in 2023.
Those days are likely behind him, but why Herbert fell out of favor in Chicago so rapidly will never make sense to Bears fans. After the arrival of D'Andre Swift, the Bears pushed Herbert aside too quickly and reduced his role to a larger degree than they probably should have in hindsight. That is why Bears fans will be rooting for Herbert in this new chapter in the league and hope that he can revive what was once a promising career.