Last year at the 2024 NFL trade deadline, the Chicago Bears sent running back Khalil Herbert to the Cincinnati Bengals in a trade exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick. With the completion of the 2025 NFL draft, here’s a look back at how things unfolded now that the trade is officially complete.
After falling out of favor and the running back rotation behind D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson, Chicago traded Herbert to Cincinnati who had just lost their own running back, Zack Moss. Right before the deadline, Moss was ruled out for the season with a neck injury, prompting Cincinnati to make a move to bolster their backfield.
Herbert would go on to play eight games for the Bengals, getting one start in those eight games. He rushed for a total of 114 yards on 28 carries but did not score a touchdown. Herbert’s biggest contribution was becoming the team’s lead kickoff returner over 2024 third-round draft pick Jermaine Burton, who had off-field issues leading to dismal play.
Bears add a running back in finally completing the Khalil Herbert trade
On Saturday afternoon, the Bears used the 233rd overall pick they acquired from Cincinnati to bring in a new running back to the roster. Coming into the draft, there was a common belief that Chicago needed to bring in a running back, and while many had believed they’d address the position early, they didn’t draft one until this pick when they selected Kyle Monangai out of Rutgers. This past season, Moangai put up a career year for the Scarlet Knights, rushing for 1,279 yards and 13 touchdowns, adding 14 catches for 75 yards and a touchdown.
It was an improvement for Monangai’s 2023 season when he totaled 1,262 yards and 8 touchdowns. The two big seasons for Monangai would see him receive separate accolades, being named to Second-team All-Big Ten in 2023, and First-team All-Big Ten in 2024.
In the end, it would become a swap of running backs, as Herbert was traded for Monangai, who will have a battle ahead for himself to make the official 53-man roster going into the 2025 season. Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, with the Indianapolis Colts, he will look to carve out a role behind their star running back, Jonathan Taylor.
For Chicago, their running back room will now feature lead back D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Monangai, and Ian Wheeler, an undrafted rookie last year who suffered a torn ACL in the preseason.