Rookie Trestan Ebner makes case for reps in Bears’ backfield

The Chicago Bears have a clear starting running back in veteran David Montgomery. Khalil Herbert is expected to be the primary backup in 2022. But rookie sixth-round pick Trestan Ebner made his case for meaningful reps in the Bears’ preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.

Ebner led the Bears in rushing — six carries for 31 yards — and flashed the kind of quickness and power behind his pads required to be a productive back in the NFL. He flashed those critical traits on this touchdown catch that put the Bears on the board in the third quarter:

First NFL TD for the rook, @TrestanEbner!

: #KCvsCHI on Fox32 & @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/pscohkXNGX

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 13, 2022

Ebner’s 12-yard score was his only catch of the day, but it confirmed he’s bringing a well-rounded skill set to a Bears offense that could have a vacancy in the backfield at the end of the season. Montgomery is entering the final year of his contract, and with how running backs have been devalued in recent years, Ebner may be auditioning for a feature role in 2023.

Ebner carried the ball 148 times for 799 yards at Baylor in 2021. He was considered one of the better receiving running backs in the 2022 NFL draft.

Herbert’s grip on the primary backup job may have loosened a bit on Saturday. It’s very early in the preseason evaluation process, but Trestan Ebner made a fantastic first impression against the Chiefs.