After spending the 2023 season as Chicago’s primary starter, one reporter believes that the Chicago Bears could cut running back Khalil Herbert as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. A sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Virginia Tech product earned the starting job after David Montgomery departed for the Detroit Lions in the 2023 offseason. Leading a backfield along with fourth-round rookie Roschon Johnson and journeyman D’Onta Foreman, Herbert finished the season with 611 yards and two touchdowns on 132 carries (4.6 yards per attempt).
Now entering the final year of his rookie deal, Adam Jahn and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic report the Bears could cut Khalil Herbert. This makes sense, as Johnson played well as a rookie and Chicago heavily invested in running back D’Andre Swift. Herbert is a fine player, but he’ll have a tough time seeing the field. If the Bears part ways with him, don’t be surprised if the Saints, Chiefs, and Cowboys go after him.
Three Teams Could Pursue Khalil Herbert If Cut
The New Orleans Saints currently have one of the league’s better running backs in Alvin Kamara. However, the superstar running back is currently holding out for an improved contract. Seeing as the Saints have no financial stability, they might not be able to give the 29-year-old running back the type of financial security he’s looking for. This could get ugly and the Saints don’t have a good Plan B at the position. Jamaal Williams was one of the least efficient backs in the league last year and Kendre Miller didn’t do much to inspire confidence as a rookie. If cut, Khalil Herbert would be the second-best back on the roster and an adequate starter in the event Kamara’s holdout lasts into the regular season.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, could use a proper backup for Isiah Pacheco. The former seventh-round pick’s ferocious style of running makes him an ideal leader for Kansas City’s backfield, but the lack of depth on this roster could be a problem. Clyde Edwards-Helaire has proven time and time again that he’s not capable of receiving featured work in this offense, and the rest of the room is littered with unremarkable talent. Khalil Herbert is better than any non-Pacheco back on this roster and could be key depth for a team looking to win their third Super Bowl in as many seasons.
Starting Work on America’s Team
The Chiefs and Saints could sign Khalil Herbert to be a backup, but the Dallas Cowboys could bring in the cut candidate to be their starter. After promising to go all-in, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have had one of the most infuriating offseasons in the league. The team watched as several key players departed in free agency, including 2023 starting running back Tony Pollard. With no replacement on the roster, Dallas currently has the corpse of Ezekiel Elliott set to battle Rico Dowdle for the starting job.
Khalil Herbert might not be a superstar, but he’d easily be the best back on this roster. Elliott is far past his prime, and Dowdle and fellow running back Deuce Vaughn are replacement-level players. This might be the last year the Cowboys have Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons on the same roster and they should be trying to maximize this window of opportunity.
Main Photo: Jamie Sabau – USA Today Sports
