The Problem with Bears Duo Reported as Trade Targets
Fictionalized trade stories suggesting potential deals are a dime a dozen in these weeks before the trade deadline.
However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport had real news on the trade front this week and some involved the Bears.
Both running back Khalil Herbert and guard Nate Davis have been the subject of calls involving trade interest, according to Rapoport’s sources.
Neither is surprising but the wording in Rapoport’s involving Herbert is especially important.
“With plenty of injuries at the (running back) position across the league, Herbert could be the subject of calls. He has flashed in previous seasons,” Rapoport wrote.
So according to a Rapoport source, Herbert “could” be the subject of calls. That doesn’t mean the Bears are pursuing a trade. They have nothing to gain and only something to lose if they trade Herbert.
Their next back behind Herbert is Travis Homer, who has done little in Chicago except play special teams and get injured. He currently is on injured reserve.
They have no back on the practice squad so if something happened to either starter D’Andre Swift or backup Roschon Johnson, they’d still need another back.
Last year the Bears thought they were set up well at running back with three backs and they had to sign Darrynton Evans and give him 30 carries and seven receptions as their fourth back because of injuries. They had Homer on the roster and he played in 16 games but didn’t get a single carry. And all of this was in an offense that gave 124 carries—the second-most on the team—to a quarterback.
So yes, it’s very possible they’ll wind up needing a third or fourth back at some point and trading away a third back with no capable sub behind him makes little sense, even if he is a free agent next year.
The idea of Herbert being too valuable as needed backfield depth for the Bears to trade is a thought also expressed by Brad Biggs of the Tribune in his regular spot on AM-670.
While Rapoport said Herbert is valued because there are numerous injuries at the position league-wide, there are other backs in the market place according to his own reports.
He pointed out Miles Sanders is available because the Panthers have Chuba Hubbard and rookie Jonathon Brooks
