Fourth-year running back Khalil Herbert has fallen out of favor in Chicago, and the Bears could trade him before he hits free agency. A sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Virginia Tech product began his career on a high note, recording 433 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 103 carries. While he never earned a full-time role, he continued to grow in the offense, averaging 130 carries and 671 yards over the next two seasons while also flashing some ability as a receiver.
Unfortunately for Herbert, he fell down the depth chart ahead of free agency. Now in the final year of his rookie contract, Herbert has just eight carries on the season while buried behind free agent signee D’Andre Swift and 2023 fourth-round pick Roschon Johnson. Even though the Chicago Bears have a 4-2 record and are in the thick of the playoff hunt, they could trade Khalil Herbert and hope to maximize his value before he departs in free agency. While he might not fetch the largest return, the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs could all pursue him.
Cowboys, Chargers, Chiefs Could Trade For Khalil Herbert
At 3-3, the Dallas Cowboys face an uphill battle to win the competitive NFC East. Nobody wants to find themselves in this situation, especially when head coach Mike McCarthy will probably lose his job if he can’t guide the team on a deep playoff run. Owner Jerry Jones openly refuses to spend big on the trade market or free agency, but he could easily add a cheap player like Khalil Herbert to the mix. While the Chicago Bears running back can’t make the same impact as someone like Diontae Johnson or Cooper Kupp, the former sixth-round pick can provide a much-needed boost to one of the worst backfields in football.
Rico Dowdle and former first-round pick Ezekiel Elliott entered the season battling for the starting running back job. Through six games of action, it’s safe to say Dowdle won that battle. While he hasn’t found the endzone, the career journeyman has recorded 59 rushing yards for 246 yards. Elliott, meanwhile, has just 38 carries for 115 yards and a score. With Elliott frustrated over his usage, the Cowboys could part ways with the washed-up veteran and trade for Khalil Herbert. The two complement each other’s skillsets well and should combine to form an adequate backfield for Dak Prescott’s offense.
Other Fits
If the Cowboys don’t trade for Khalil Herbert, then the Los Angeles Chargers could be next in line. Head coach Jim Harbaugh believes in the power of the running game and wants to win football games the old-fashioned way. J.K. Dobbins is playing remarkably well in his return from a career-threatening Achilles injury, but free agent signee Gus Edwards is on the injured reserve and wasn’t playing well even when healthy. While wide receiver is objectively a bigger need, Harbaugh could target Herbert to form a strong 1-2 punch at the running back position.
Isiah Pacheco is working his way back to the field, but that might not prevent a Khalil Herbert trade. Old friend Kareem Hunt has done a remarkable job filling in for the seventh-round pick, as the 2017 rushing leader has recorded 249 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 63 carries through three games. However, his production has dropped in each game since re-signing with the Chiefs, and nobody should give an older back like Hunt over 20 touches per game. Khalil Herbert could ease the burden on Hunt and is a clear upgrade on the current backup Carson Steele.
Main Photo: Troy Taormina – USA Today Sports
