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4 Bears Who Can’t Afford a Slow Start Week 1

Approaching a highly-anticipated Week 1 matchup against the Titans, which Bears need to show out to secure their spot going forward?

By Zach Elliott

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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No more countdowns to kickoff. No more roster trimming, camp rumors, or highlights in shorts and practice pennies. We’re back! After an offseason where the Bears’ hype built to a crescendo – culminating in a finishing salvo to HBO’s “Hard Knocks” that could wake the average Chicagoan out of a coma – Caleb Williams and company will christen the most hopeful season the city has seen in years.

Even still, not everyone is riding high heading into Week 1. Excitement abounds for the rising stars and established vets on the roster, but a few must be feeling a little tighter going against the Titans on Sunday. Be it injury, age, or unstable position on the depth chart, a few guys are looking to erase some doubts or stake their claim to relevance this season.

1. Khalil Herbert, RB

Rather than facing questions due to massive regression, Herbert suffers from not being the youngest (or newest) running back in the rotation. In his three years with Chicago, the 25-year-old has averaged 4.9 yards a carry and served as a lead back frequently – he led their backfield in rushing last season despite missing five games.

Unfortunately, he might be getting squeezed out of snaps. Second-year back Roschon Johnson looked promising last year and showed pass-catching chops that Herbert has always lacked (287 yards across three seasons). D’Andre Swift was brought in from Philadelphia for $8 million – starter money. Not to mention the potentially revitalized Velus Jones Jr. (more on him later) taking even more reps.

Herbert has been great as a 6th round pick steadying this backfield for the last three seasons. Without taking surprising advantage of whatever snaps he gets this Sunday, there just might end up being too many mouths to feed.

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