Khalil Herbert: The Hopeful Locomotive for the Bears' Backfield in 2023
In 2023, the Chicago Bears' backfield sports a fresh face as Khalil Herbert steps up to potentially head the group, following David Montgomery's exit during the free agency period. Alongside Herbert in this new-look squad are prominent new members D'Onta Foreman and rookie sensation Roschon Johnson.
Though Herbert is keen on securing the primary role, he acknowledges the vitality of a robust group of running backs, each equipped to share the load.
"As we all know, NFL dynamics have shifted," he explained. "We're seeing more of a 'running-back-by-committee' approach. We need a trio of strong players to keep the momentum going without any hitches. I'm confident we've formed a solid team, one filled with individuals who could score at any moment. I'm really looking forward to what we can achieve together."
Coming off an impressive second season with the Bears, Herbert has shown his potential as a valuable asset. Despite running for only 731 yards, his average of 5.7 yards per carry was the highest among all qualifying running backs in 2022, demonstrating his abilities.
Coach Matt Eberflus was full of praise for Herbert: "He's got this knack for scoring big. He possesses excellent vision and an ability to cut back effectively. He's just as skilled at taking the ball outside as he is at finding those inside lanes. We're thrilled with his progress."
However, Herbert's impressive track record from the previous season doesn't guarantee him a smooth path to the primary role in the Bears' offensive lineup.
Foreman, who stepped up for the Panthers in the wake of Christian McCaffrey's departure, had a standout year with 914 rushing yards. Johnson, having honed his skills under the tutelage of Bijan Robinson at Texas, has many analysts predicting his rise to the primary role by the close of his debut season.
The Bears' tactical approach continues to favor the committee model for their running back strategy, complemented by the NFL's most formidable running quarterback, Justin Fields. All things considered, it seems the Windy City will be witnessing an exciting run-heavy game in 2023.
| POLL | ||
7 JUIN | 20 ANSWERS Khalil Herbert: The Hopeful Locomotive for the Bears' Backfield in 2023 Will Khalil Herbert lead the Bears backfield next season? | ||
| Yes | 11 | 55 % |
| No | 9 | 45 % |
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