Khalil Herbert can make his case for more carries in Week 2 vs. Packers

The Chicago Bears ground game will be vital to their success on offense this season. An effective rushing attack will not only take pressure off second-year signal-caller Justin Fields but also open up passing lanes and keep defenses honest through play action.

Monsoon-like conditions made it difficult to find much room on the ground in their season opener victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Still, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy stuck with the running game. It was a positive sign that this team understands the value of a consistent rushing attack, unlike the Matt Nagy regime.

While their lack of success on the ground was not shocking considering the circumstances, it was somewhat surprising to see how much more explosive Khalil Herbert looked with the ball in his hands than David Montgomery. The former finished with 45 yards on only nine carries, while the latter only mustered 26 yards from his 17 attempts. The disparity becomes especially significant when you consider the fact that Montgomery is entering a contract year. The Bears might want to see what they have in the 2021 sixth-round selection rather than committing to Montgomery long-term. And it could start in Week 2’s Sunday night game against the Green Bay Packers.

Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery can be the Bears’ version of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon

Questioning whether Chicago should sign Montgomery to a second contract is not a reflection of his abilities. He has been one of the most underrated running backs since entering the league in 2019 and has put the Bears’ offense on his back as their most consistent playmaker during that stretch. There is no denying that he is a hard-nosed runner who consistently churns out tough yards.

However, history is not on his side when it comes to teams signing running backs to a second contract, as those who get another deal often see their efficiency dwindle before the pact is complete. Furthermore, some question how well his playing style fits in Chicago’s new offense, and these takes are bound to get louder if he has a performance on Sunday Night Football like he had in the opener.

Khalil Herbert’s quickness and jump-cutting abilities make him a perfect fit for the outside zone attack, and his skill set is similar to Aaron Jones, who became a star in a similar offense to the one the Bears are implementing under Getsy. Jones and A.J. Dillon formed one of the best running back duos in the league last year, and that type of potential is not out of the question for the Bears’ backfield this season.

Still, it would not be surprising to see Herbert grab a more significant share of the carries if he continues to impress with his opportunities. He could even find himself leading the Bears’ backfield if Montgomery is out of the picture next year.

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