Entering the offseason, questions arose about the running back room, specifically wondering what would happen if David Montgomery left. Well, Monty left, Khalil Herbert assumed the No. 1 role, and the Bears added depth in the form of D'Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson, and Travis Homer. Herbert broke out last season when Montgomery got hurt, but the biggest question mark in his game was his ability to catch the football. Although he'll likely never be as good as Montgomery, minimal participation in the passing game is still valuable.
Entering game action on Saturday, those questions still lingered. However, Herbert might've done enough to keep the critics off his back for awhile.
On Saturday, Herbert set up on what looked like a delayed running back screen. The Tennessee Titans sent a blitz, and Justin Fields avoided the pressure beautifully. The third-year QB sent a lob to Herbert, who took it 56 yards down the sideline, with a caravan in front, for the score.
Herbert will be the lead back entering the season for the Bears. Although the hype surrounding fourth-round rookie Roschon Johnson is high, Herbert showed last season that he has what it takes to be a lead back. If his hands have improved, he's even more primed to get every opportunity as the top rusher.
Herbert and DJ Moore brought the electricity, and the juice, to the Bears' first preseason game on Saturday. Expect these two players to continue making big plays for the Bears in 2023.
More must-reads: