When David Montgomery signed a free-agent contract with the Detroit Lions in March, it appeared like a foregone conclusion that Khalil Herbert would ascend to RB1 on the depth chart. And while that may still be true, GM Ryan Poles added enough competition in free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft to make it a position battle worth watching this summer.
Veteran D'Onta Foreman, fresh off of his career-best season with the Carolina Panthers, was the first contender to join Herbert in the running back room. The former Texas star ran for 914 yards and five touchdowns (4.5 yards per carry) in 2022. He was more productive than Montgomery and could be an upgrade depending on who you ask.
Then came the fourth round of April's NFL draft. Roschon Johnson, another Longhorn standout, was added to the Bears' roster. Many have viewed his selection as one of this year's biggest draft steals, and he's a popular name in predictions about Day-3 rookies who could become starters this year.
Indeed, Herbert is no slouch. He earned the right to begin the offseason as the Chicago Bears' top back, even with Foreman and Johnson in town. He ran for 731 yards and four touchdowns in just 13 games in 2022 and was one of the NFL's most efficient backs averaging 5.7 yards per carry. It was a confidence-building season for the now third-year pro. That confidence will serve him well in this year's training camp competition.
“You know how things go in the NFL now," Herbert said Wednesday from OTAs. "They’re doing things running back by committee. You need one, two, three really good guys that really carry the rock and there be no drop-off. I feel like we’ve got a really strong group. We’ve got guys who can take it to the house at any given moment. I’m excited to see what we can do.”
Herbert's team-first talking points don't change the fact that he's entering a critical third season in the league. His rookie contract expires at the end of 2024, and if he wants to prove he deserves a nice pay raise, he'll have to deliver this year.
Coach Matt Eberflus called Herbert a home-run hitter and highlighted what he views as strengths in the runner's game.
“He’s got great vision. He’s got great cut-back ability," Eberflus said. "He can take the ball outside and bounce it outside, but he’s really good at cutting it back when it’s there. We’re excited where he is.”
It'll be up to Herbert and his running back mates to do their part to take pressure off Justin Fields in 2023. After nearly breaking the single-season rushing record for a quarterback in 2022, Fields has made it clear he doesn't plan to run as much this season. Herbert doesn't want him to, either.
“We all want to do the same thing he does, so he doesn’t have to do it all,” Herbert said. “You’ve got this explosive quarterback that can make a play anytime he has the ball in his hands, and you want to be there to do the same thing, help him out. We’ve got the guys for it.”