The Chicago Bears have seemingly figured out the majority of their offensive issues over the last two weeks, and it's not because of a former efficient starter.
During the Bears' last two wins, running back Khalil Herbert has been an offensive afterthought and with the trade deadline creeping up, will the team look to move him?
There are certainly teams who could be interested in acquiring Herbert for the right price after suffering injuries to the position, but would it be in the Bears best interest?
Over the first three games of the season, the Bears run game looked absolutely terrible. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus noted the team needed to better use their personnel to get things back on track in the run game. However, it doesn't seem like Herbert was in those plans.
Prior to Week 4, Waldron noted that Herbert would be used as the team's short-yardage and goal line back. However, he's played just three offensive snaps and had zero carries in the last two games. Meanwhile, Roschon Johnson has scored three goal line touchdowns and D'Andre Swift even got one on Sunday.
Seeing Herbert become an afterthought on offense has been a confusing turn of events. He's proven he can be an elusive and explosive player for the Bears when given some change of pace looks.
However, in the first three games, Herbert had just eight carries for 16 yards. But he did score the team's first touchdown of the season on a goal line run.
Herbert has still gotten some playing time over the last two games on special teams playing primarily as the second deep man on kickoff returns. Herbert returned one kick for 28 yards in Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers. However, the team also put another player back deep in Josh Blackwell after Deandre Carter got banged up.
If the team were to move on from Herbert at the trade deadline and get some value out of him before his contract expires, Blackwell could easily take his place as a returner. However, things get muddy when you look at the backfield.
Swift and Johnson have been the only two backs who have gotten carries over the last two games and the team only has three healthy backs after placing Travis Homer on the injured reserve. Therefore, if the Bears move Herbert and suffer an injury to Swift or Johnson, the team would be in a bind at the position.
One option would be giving Velus Jones Jr. another shot if Herbert is traded. Since his Week 1 kickoff return mishap, Jones has been a healthy scratch but ranked fourth in the league with 158 rushing yards on 25 attempts during the preseason.
The Bears also don't currently have a running back on the practice squad. Moving Herbert would be a risky thing to do, but if a team where willing to give up some draft capital, they can make things work. Another option the Bears could look into would be bringing in an outside free agent to add some depth to the room.
But at this point, it seems like a move would be ideal for Herbert instead of wasting a full season of his career.
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