6 Bears on the Chopping Block After 2024 Minicamp

2. Khalil Herbert, Running back

The Bears are talented at the offensive skill positions, and they've upgraded over the last couple of years at the running back position.

Khalil Herbert was the team's rushing leader (outside of Justin Fields) in 2023 and has been one of the Bears' best runners since he came to the team in 2021. Now, he's entering a contract year and there's got to be at least a little bit of uncertainty about his future in Chicago.

The Bears signed veteran D'Andre Swift, a former second-round pick by the Detroit Lions out of Georgia, in 2024 NFL free agency. Swift is coming off of a 1,000-yard season as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and gives the Bears a true featured back for all three downs.

The Bears were also encouraged by the returns they received from 2023 fourth-round pick Roschon Johnson, a former Texas running back who can ascend to this team's RB2 role in 2024. It's more and more difficult to see where the Bears are going to come up with snaps for Khalil Herbert, and how they're going to manage to keep him involved unless he's playing due to injury.

Would it even be right of the Bears to bury Herbert on the depth chart in a contract year? They might be wise to go out and find a trade partner at some point during the preseason if they can. Though running backs have been devalued at this point it's tough to know who would send the Bears anything.