One thing we’ve learned about the Chicago Bears in two years under the Ryan Poles-Matt Eberflus regime is they don’t marry themselves to any player. They are driven by a simple credo: if you work hard, play well, and stay healthy, you have a roster spot on this team. Your name power doesn’t matter. If they get a sense you’ve lost any value to the bottom line of winning football games, they will move on. That is why it might not be wise to make any assumptions about who will or won’t be on the roster come the end of August.
Adam Jahns of The Athletic alluded to that in his 53-man roster projection for the team. He isn’t ready to declare one prominent name a 100% lock for opening day: running back Khalil Herbert.
“Herbert and Johnson also worked with Williams and the starters. And yet, it wouldn’t be surprising if Herbert is considered on the bubble at Halas Hall. He’s in a contract year and the Bears drafted Johnson last year and signed Swift this year.”
Herbert is one of the last holdouts of the Ryan Pace era. He’s been a solid runner for the team over the past two years, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. The problem is he’s missed nine games with various injuries. Also, he doesn’t offer much versatility as a receiver or blocker. If the Bears feel comfortable with a three-man backfield of D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, and Travis Homer, Herbert’s spot could be sacrificed.
Making this team is much harder now than it was two years ago. Poles has built talent and depth everywhere. The Bears are interested in building the best possible 53-man lineup. Herbert has been a solid piece in the running game since his arrival. The problem is this isn’t the same offense he departed last season. Shane Waldron’s view on running backs isn’t quite the same. He prefers players who are good at running an inside zone style, which requires more power and contact balance. Blocking is also necessary. Seahawks backs combined for almost 700 pass-blocking snaps last season.
The harsh reality is Herbert doesn’t offer the variety they look for. Swift is a far better receiving threat. Johnson is a far better blocker. Homer is a great special teamer. Khari Blasingame is penciled in as the fullback. Unless the Chicago Bears plan to carry five backs, Herbert does indeed appear to be the odd man out. He will have to show some kind of evolution in his game over the next couple of months. If he doesn’t, he’ll be looking for employment elsewhere.
