Khalil Herbert Chooses Bengals Over Packers: A Bold Move for the Former Bears Running Back
In a surprising turn of events, Khalil Herbert, the dynamic running back formerly with the Chicago Bears, has announced his decision to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals, turning down an offer from the Green Bay Packers in the process. The news comes as a major shift in Herbert’s career, one that has significant implications for both the Bengals and the Packers, as well as for the future of Herbert himself.
Herbert, who was drafted by the Bears in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, quickly made a name for himself with his explosive playing style and ability to break big runs. Despite dealing with the challenges of a rebuilding Bears team, he emerged as one of the team’s most consistent offensive weapons, gaining the trust of coaches and fans alike. Now, as he enters the next chapter of his career, his decision to join the Bengals over the Packers is a fascinating one, especially given the strong running back depth already present in Cincinnati and the historic rivalry between the Bengals and the Packers.
A Quick Look at Herbert’s Career in Chicago
Khalil Herbert’s tenure with the Chicago Bears has been marked by steady progress and flashes of brilliance. After being selected by the Bears in the 2020 draft, he began his career as a reserve player behind veteran David Montgomery. However, Herbert’s breakout season came in 2021 when Montgomery went down with an injury, and Herbert stepped into the starting role. He quickly displayed his knack for finding gaps, making defenders miss, and turning short runs into explosive plays. By the end of that season, Herbert had firmly established himself as a key contributor to the Bears’ offense.
In 2022, Montgomery returned, but Herbert continued to carve out a meaningful role for himself in the Bears’ backfield. Though the team was in the midst of a rebuilding phase with a new coaching staff, Herbert’s versatility and ability to both run and catch the ball made him a valuable asset. Over his three seasons with the Bears, Herbert totaled over 2,100 yards from scrimmage and contributed 12 touchdowns. His ability to excel both as a ball carrier and a receiver out of the backfield made him a dual-threat that other teams had to account for.
Yet, despite his success in Chicago, the Bears’ struggles to find consistency on offense and their focus on a long-term rebuild eventually led to Herbert’s decision to explore other opportunities. With the team investing in a new quarterback in Justin Fields and addressing other roster needs, Herbert likely saw his chances for further success in Chicago as limited, leading him to seek a change of scenery.
The Bengals and Packers: Two Compelling Options
When Herbert became a free agent, it didn’t take long for NFL teams to take notice. The Bengals and the Packers, two teams with very different trajectories, both emerged as front-runners for his services. The Bengals, fresh off a Super Bowl appearance in 2022 and with a high-powered offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow, seemed like a tantalizing option for Herbert. The Packers, meanwhile, represented a chance for Herbert to join an established team with a storied history and a clear need for help in their backfield following the departure of Aaron Rodgers.
Cincinnati Bengals: A Championship Window
The Bengals, under head coach Zac Taylor, have quickly evolved into one of the most exciting teams in the NFL. With Burrow at the helm, a star wide receiver corps including Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and a solid offensive line, the Bengals have become an offense to be reckoned with. However, one area where the team has struggled to find consistent production is in the running back position. Joe Mixon, who has been the team’s primary back for years, has shown flashes of brilliance but has also been inconsistent, particularly in 2023, when he battled injuries and inconsistencies.
In addition to Mixon, the Bengals have experimented with other running backs, but none have consistently stepped up to complement their explosive passing game. The team’s front office has expressed a desire to solidify their backfield with a dynamic, complementary player who can both run between the tackles and contribute in the passing game. Enter Khalil Herbert—an ideal fit for the Bengals’ offensive scheme. Herbert’s ability to make defenders miss in the open field and contribute as a pass catcher out of the backfield made him a highly sought-after option for a team looking to balance its offense and improve its running game.
The Bengals’ decision to pursue Herbert made sense. With a championship window open, bolstering their running back depth could help make their already-potent offense even more dangerous. Herbert could be the missing piece to a Bengals offense that has the potential to compete for Super Bowls for the next few years.
Green Bay Packers: A Team in Transition
The Green Bay Packers, on the other hand, have found themselves in a period of transition. The departure of Aaron Rodgers, one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, has left a significant void in Green Bay’s offense. The Packers have handed the reins over to second-year quarterback Jordan Love, who will now look to establish himself as the team’s leader. With a new quarterback at the helm, the Packers are in a rebuilding phase, focusing on developing younger players while retooling their roster for the future.
One of the areas that stood out as a need for the Packers was the running back position. Aaron Jones, one of the top backs in the league, is still on the roster, but his durability and age have been concerns. The team drafted AJ Dillon to be his complement, but Dillon has not yet fully developed into the type of consistent, feature back the Packers need. Adding Herbert to the backfield could have provided the Packers with an explosive dual-threat running back to pair with Jones, further alleviating the pressure on Love as he develops. A strong running game could have been the perfect way for the Packers to balance their offense and allow Love to grow into the starting role.
Despite the appeal of joining the Packers’ rich history and the opportunity to make an immediate impact in their backfield, Herbert ultimately chose the Bengals, citing a number of key factors that made Cincinnati the better fit for his career at this stage.
Why Herbert Chose the Bengals
Khalil Herbert’s decision to sign with the Bengals over the Packers comes down to several important factors:
- Championship Contender Status: The Bengals are a team in win-now mode, and their window for a Super Bowl title is wide open. With Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and an improving defense, Cincinnati is built to contend for championships in the near future. As a player on the rise, Herbert likely sees this as an opportunity to join a team that can offer immediate success and potentially help him achieve his ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl.
- Offensive Fit: Herbert’s skill set is ideally suited to complement the Bengals’ high-powered passing attack. While Joe Mixon remains the primary running back, Herbert offers a versatile skill set that could allow him to thrive in both traditional rushing situations and as a pass-catching option out of the backfield. The Bengals’ offense is designed to maximize the talents of all its playmakers, and Herbert’s dynamic playstyle fits seamlessly into that scheme.
- Opportunity for Role Expansion: While the Packers’ running back depth chart might have given Herbert a chance for more immediate touches, the Bengals offer a similar opportunity in a more high-profile offense. The chance to contribute to a top-tier unit that could contend for titles is undoubtedly a major factor in Herbert’s decision-making process. His ability to be a significant contributor on an offense with championship aspirations is likely more appealing than joining a Packers team in a more uncertain phase of its rebuild.
- Relationship with Coaching Staff: The Bengals’ coaching staff has shown a strong track record of developing offensive talent, especially in the running game. Offensive coordinator Brian Callahan and head coach Zac Taylor have designed a system that allows all offensive players to thrive, and their ability to maximize running back talent may have been another factor that swayed Herbert in Cincinnati’s favor.
The Future for Herbert and the Bengals
Khalil Herbert’s move to Cincinnati will be an exciting development for both him and the team. As the Bengals aim to build on their Super Bowl run and continue to establish themselves as one of the AFC’s elite teams, Herbert’s addition could prove to be the final piece of a well-rounded offense. With Mixon’s status uncertain for the future, Herbert could become a more significant part of the offense in 2025 and beyond.
For Herbert, the opportunity to grow alongside Burrow, Chase, and the Bengals’ playmakers offers the potential for individual success and a chance to compete for championships. This is a pivotal moment in his career, and joining a championship-contending team like the Bengals could be the perfect platform for him to elevate his game to the next level.
In the end, Khalil Herbert’s decision to choose the Bengals over the Packers could reshape the AFC landscape, and his impact on the Bengals’ quest for a Super Bowl may be felt sooner than expected.
