The Chicago Bears seem to have found their identity in the running game with D'Andre Swift finding his footing as the playmaker in the team's offensive backfield and Roschon Johnson emerging as the short-yardage running back.
With that success, Khalil Herbert seems to have lost his role in the Bears' offense. Herber scored the first offensive touchdown of the season for the Bears in their Week 2 game against the Houston Texans but hasn't registered a carry since the team's Week 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
With Herbert becoming a non-factor on offense for the Bears, that has increased speculation that he could be a trade candidate.
Trade activity across the NFL seems to have picked up this week but Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune pushed back on the idea of Herbert being traded while responding to a question in his latest Chicago Tribune mailbag.
As part of that ongoing process, Herbert will have to bide his time. I imagine we’ll see him get more work in the weeks to come, and he has value as he provides the offense with depth. How often do you see a running back go out with an ankle or knee injury? The Bears don’t want to be caught short-handed if something happens to Swift or Johnson. So Herbert has a solid role on the team even if he hasn’t gotten a lot of action through the first six games.
Khalil Herbert figures to be a name discussed at the NFL Trade Deadline.
Overall, yes, it would be foolish for the Bears to deplete their running back depth. Swift and Johnson's availability has been a concern throughout their respective careers.
But here is the thing: Herbert wasn't just leapfrogged by Johnson in terms of playing time on offense. Herbert was also leapfrogged by Travis Homer during the early weeks of the season. Homer was played on IR prior to Week 3 with a finger injury but would be eligible to return for the Bears' game against the Commanders. If Homer is able to return for that game, there's the depth the Bears need at running back, opening the possibility of Herbert being moved.