Following the Chicago Bears’ loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4 of the 2023 season, a visibly dejected running back Khalil Herbert sat at his locker.
His thumbs on both hands were bloodied.
The Bears had just blown a 28-14 lead, allowing 17 fourth-quarterback points to the Broncos. Herbert rushed 18 times for 103 yards in the contest. He also caught four of five targets for 19 yards and 1 touchdown. Herbert downplayed his personal effort. And when asked to describe the feeling of the loss, he could only say, “It’s tough.”
Several Bears players shared similar sentiments while reacting to Herbert’s trade to the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
Bears Players React to Khalil Herbert’s Trade to Bengals
RB Activity a 1st for Bears’ Travis Homer
“I’ve been telling people around the building, but not just in conversation, I’m [in] Year 6, and this my first time really seeing this many moves going in our running back room,” Travis Homer told Clocker Sports on Wednesday. “It’s sad. It’s sad to see. I’m gonna definitely miss my boys, with KB [Khari Blasingame], with Khalil, and with Velus [Jones Jr.] But I talked to them and, I just told them, I wish the best for them.
“I think it’ll be a good move for Khalil, just being able to get back on that field and really just prove to the world what he got, especially going in a contract year.”
That final line is key.
Herbert is indeed in the final year of his rookie contract. He had been supplanted in the rotation by free agent signing D’Andre Swift at the top, and 2023 fourth-round draft pick Roschon Johnson at RB2.
Herbert was relegated to special teams duties amid Homer’s earlier injuries. And while he had heard the trade rumors like those linking him to the Minnesota Vikings, he brushed them aside.
Homer said Herbert was business as usual amid his new reality before the trade.
“Khalil was a good guy,” Homer said. “He just came to work every day just ready. You never know when your number’s gonna get called, and that’s what he did. He just stayed ready whenever, and it’s just how the cards were dealt for him.
“It’s definitely saddening to see. I know some guys feel it. It’s a little weird. It’s that kind of a little weird feeling. But, in this game, just gotta keep moving forward.”
For Johnson, the emotions are similar.
“Coming in with Khalil [here], we built a great relationship over this year and a half,” Johnson told Clocker Sports. “It’s tough to see him go, but at the same time with me, I’m happy that he can kind of start somewhere else and get a fresh slate and just make his talents useful.
“I spoke with him briefly. He’s getting situated. He’s got a lot going on trying to get adjusted over there. So I did, I briefly spoke to him.”
Bears React to Khalil Herbert Trade
Eberflus thanked Herbert for his performance and professionalism early on in his media availability before practice on Wednesday.
“Just want to talk about Herbert for a second,” Eberflus told reporters on November 6. “Talked to him, thanked him for his dedication and hard work. Really appreciate him. A couple guys from [the Bengals] staff called me. I told them really good things about him in terms of his work ethic and his character, and it’s good to see that opportunity for him.
“[Bears general manager Ryan Poles is] always working on improving our roster, and also improving our draft status and getting draft capital and all those things. And, obviously, did a nice job there.
The Bears received a seventh-round pick from the Bengals for Herbert.
Six players remain on the Bears’ roster from Herbert’s rookie season in 2021, the year before Poles took over. That includes tight end Cole Kmet.
The No. 217 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Herbert is the latest in a string of teammates that Kmet has seen come and go over his five-year career and that was evident in his comments before practice.
“Khalil is a guy that I’ve grown very close with over the past couple years,” Kmet told Clocker Sports during his media availability. “But, look, I’ve seen so many guys come in and out, and that’s just kind of part of the deal part of the business here of being in the NFL. And I wish him nothing but the best, and I hope he … kills it in Cincinnati.”
Bears center Coleman Shelton, new to the team this season, also shared his solemn thoughts.
“Unfortunately, it’s part of the game. It’s the way it rolls” Shelton told Clocker Sports before practice. “Love Khalil. I’m gonna miss him. Hopefully, he does his thing over in Cincinnati, and all the best to him.”
Bears Lose Andrew Billings to Torn Pec
Herbert’s trade was not the only dour news of the week. Eberflus announced that starting defensive tackle Andrew Billing will undergo surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle suffered in the team’s Week 9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Bears defensive tackles Gervon Dexter Sr. and Byron Cowart reacted to the loss of Billings, both on the field and in the locker room.
“Just praying for him. That’s tough. It’s tougher because how well he was playing. The last two years, he found his groove. Just tough. And for me, just coming in with that guy and just learning from him and him being a leader for me as a rookie to now. But we praying for him. I’m praying for him,” Dexter told Clocker Sports.
“He’s a tough guy. He takes stuff like that real well. He can deal with stuff like that. It’s the type of person he is. I’m just praying for him.
“Just his experience alone helps guys. He’s been in every situation more than once, so I believe – He’s not a very vocal leader. He is in the D-line room. But as far as the D-unit and the team, he’s a very ‘lead by example’ [kind of guy]. He’s never late to meetings, he’s never [out of position], he’s always where he’s supposed to be at on time, he’s always in his gap, doing the right stuff. So that’s what type of leader is.”
Dexter has learned from Billing since last season and believes he has picked up some leadership tactics from his vet. He also noted that Billings will still be around the team while he rehabs providing knowledge.
Cowart is new to the group. But he too has leaned on Billings at times this season.
“It’s tough on the groove, I think, because his presence,” Cowart said. “He was the vet. Just his knowledge of the game and stuff, so even him not being here right now is just a little different. But, man, hopefully like I said, it was successful – whatever he got going on and get him back in the building, and it can just keep flowing.
“When I came in for OTAs, he just told me, ‘Stay ready, be ready. Take advantage of all opps. So with him going down, it’s the same goal for me. Because I never know with the front office, what they want to do, what pieces they want to move around. So for me, I’m just [going to] keep grinding and doing what I was doing. Keeping my head down and get the opportunity I get it. If not, I’m still gonna work regardless of it.”
That kind of perspective and wisdom only comes from experience. With Billings down, Cowart becomes the elder statesman of the group. He is embracing the role and the leadership aspect that comes with it.
“I’m just telling them the things that I see; tendencies and stuff like that,” Cowart said. “I was drafted to the Patriots, so I always bring that up because I feel like that’s my base and my foundation of just how I attack the game plan for the week and scouting certain teams and stuff. So I try to tell them what I see and then we just talk about, ‘Well, what do you see?’ And, ‘How you feel about the doubles?’ And just open conversation for both me and them.
“It’s been open and transparent. Trying to learn from each other too, because Dex done taught me a lot just me being here.”
Second-year man Zacch Pickens and third-year former Indianapolis Colts tackle Chris Williams join Cowart in filling the gaps in Billings’ absence.