Herbert, Not Montgomery, Looks Like Bears’ Back Of The Future

Khalil Herbert, the understudy, has become a serious threat to the star of the Chicago Bears’ backfield, David Montgomery.

Herbert is expected to be the starter on Sunday against the Giants, as Montgomery is battling injuries to his right ankle and knee. This would seem to be a preview of the team’s future.

Montgomery, the Bears’ leading rusher the last three seasons, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after this season after not being extended in the off-season. Herbert, a sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft, is only in the second year of his four-year rookie deal. He is outplaying Montgomery when given the chance.

Herbert started twice in 2021 when Montgomery was injured. He ran for 97 yards against the Packers and 100 yards against the Buccaneers, adding five catches in the Tampa Bay game. He had 157 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-20 win over Houston last Sunday, when Montgomery was forced to the sideline after only three carries.

In a depressed climate for running backs, Herbert is currently seventh in the NFL with 240 yards on 33 carries. His average of 7.3 yards per carry is second to D’Andre Swift among running backs. And his work stands up to close inspection.

Pro Football Focus gives Herbert an overall grade of 81.2, which ranks behind only Nick Chubb and Christian McCaffrey. Montgomery is 42nd of the 57 running backs graded by PFF. This isn’t a new trend, either, as PFF ranked Herbert 15th and Montgomery 28th among 62 running backs last season.

Herbert is listed at 5-9, 212 pounds. He doesn’t grade out as well as a blocker as Montgomery, who is listed at 5-11, 224 pounds.

Montgomery currently ranks third best in pass blocking, a role Herbert hasn’t been often assigned. But Herbert is among the game’s best with the ball in his hand. His 81.7 grade as a runner ranks behind only Chubb, McCaffrey, Alexander Mattison, Aaron Jones and Cordarrelle Patterson.

First-year general manager Ryan Poles inherited contract decisions on linebacker Roquan Smith and Montgomery when he was hired to replace Ryan Pace. He did not extend either of them, with the Montgomery negotiations remaining under the radar while talks with Smith turned contentious.

Both Smith and Montgomery, along with leading pass rusher Robert Quinn, are considered candidates for mid-season trades as Poles is driven to amass 2023 draft picks as well as cap room for free agency. The Bears are off to a surprising 2-1 start, however, creating excitement in their fanbase.

The upcoming run of games against the Giants, Vikings, Commanders, Patriots and Cowboys will go a long way toward determining if Poles keeps the team intact or looks to offload some assets, including Montgomery.