The Chicago Bears enjoyed a breakout 2025 campaign, but the result has seen them lose a handful of important players and coaches so far this offseason. The front office has done good work to replace their departing personnel, but it’s fair to assume that this is going to have an impact on the team once it returns to action in 2026.
One former Bears player who is trying to find his way back into a prominent role in the NFL is running back Khalil Herbert. During his time with Chicago, Herbert was one of the most explosive playmakers in the league, but he’s struggled to find a fit with a new team since getting traded in 2024. After a quiet 2025 campaign, Herbert has reportedly landed a tryout with a Super Bowl-contending squad in the NFC.
Khalil Herbert Lands Tryout with the Eagles
Herbert initially broke in with the Bears as a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and despite being undersized at 5’9, Herbert immediately turned himself into a contributor out of the backfield for his new team. Despite almost always working as a secondary option, Herbert consistently found a way to rack up big gains when he was on the field.
In 2024, Herbert’s role shrank, and he ended up getting traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, who needed some depth at running back. However, he struggled to make a similar impact for them, and he signed with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency the ensuing offseason. Herbert didn’t make the team’s Week 1 roster, but he was quickly scooped up by the Seattle Seahawks, as they signed him to their practice squad.
Herbert was eventually signed to the New York Jets active roster, but he didn’t play much for them, as he finished the year with just 52 yards on 16 carries and one catch for four yards. The burst that Herbert featured earlier in his career simply has not been what it once was, but he’s earned himself a shot to latch on with the Philadelphia Eagles, as the team brought him in for a tryout during their rookie minicamp.
“The Eagles have a couple of veteran running backs trying out at their rookie minicamp this weekend. Elijah Mitchell and Khalil Herbert are both on the roster that the team gave to reporters at the first day of the minicamp,” Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk reported.
Khalil Herbert Faces Long Odds to Stick with the Eagles
GettyKhalil Herbert #24 of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field on October 01, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Herbert’s quick fall from grace has been rather surprising, and while it doesn’t hurt for the Eagles to take a flier on him, their running back depth chart is already fairly crowded. Saquon Barkley is obviously leading the way, with Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley being first in line to earn his snaps if he isn’t on the field.
As for the Bears, they have one of the better running back duos in the league in D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. So while the decision to move on from Herbert about a year-and-a-half ago was surprising, it hasn’t come back to bite them just yet. However, it will be worth keeping tabs on Herbert to see if he can somehow carve out a role for himself with Philadelphia.
Former Bears RB Khalil Herbert Earns Tryout with NFC Team