The Chicago Bears said goodbye to one of their longest-tenured players on Tuesday morning, trading away running back Khalil Herbert to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick. Trade rumors swirled around Herbert over the last few weeks as he fell out of the running back rotation, and now he gets a fresh start with a team that could use his services due to injuries.
Herbert was a 2021 sixth-round pick and quickly became a key contributor his rookie season. By Year 2, he was the primary backup to starter David Montgomery and saw plenty of action. His 731 rushing yards and four touchdowns were career highs, while his 5.7 yards per carry led the league among running backs. He entered Year 3 as the starting running back but only played in 12 games due to injury, finishing with 611 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
This year, Herbert fell behind newcomer D’Andre Swift and second-year back Roschon Johnson. He totaled just eight carries for 16 yards and one touchdown and was a healthy scratch the last two weeks. He will see more playing time in Cincinnati, while the Bears will continue featuring Swift and Johnson. Here is our initial grade of the trade:
It was only a matter of time until one of the running backs became the odd man out with Swift’s arrival. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron attempted to get all three involved early on, but there was no rhythm, and he felt that Swift and Johnson could do more than Herbert. Most people could see this trade coming a mile away, and the compensation is appropriate. Herbert has produced in stretches throughout his career, and he’s an explosive runner. He’s also a one-trick pony, though, who isn’t effective in pass blocking and has average hands at best. Considering he’s in a contract year and has very little tape in 2024, it makes sense why he went for a seventh-round pick.
This is a trade that certainly makes sense for Herbert. Does it make sense for the Bears, though? While the sky looks to be falling, this is a team that is still 4-4 with half a season still to go. An injury to Swift or Johnson could severely hamper an already struggling offense, and the Bears are now down to just three running backs. Herbert would have been able to provide a spark as an early down runner. For one reason or another, though, this staff didn’t value him and at least got something in return before he left via free agency.
Overall, this looks to be an average trade. Perhaps Herbert’s value was higher in the offseason and the Bears could have netted a better pick, but a seventh is better than nothing. Herbert will fill the Zack Moss role well in Cincinnati, and hopefully he gets the chance to play in the postseason for the first time in his career.
