Khalil Herbert, Nate Davis generating a ton of trade interest |
With the Bears officially coming off their Bye week, things got a bit more interesting in the NFC North. That is because the Packers knocked off the Texans to reach 5-2, pushing the Bears into last place. The Lions also beat the Vikings, so all four teams are separated by just one game.
To say this is the best division in football would be an understatement and a division that will go right down to the wire and be exciting to watch. Ultimately, you still have to put the Lions as the favorite to win the division, but there is a realistic possibility that all four teams, or at worst three of the four teams, could make the playoffs, and if a team is left out, they could still be a 10-win team. Whoever wants to win this division will have to work for it and do something at the trade deadline to improve their team. Those moves remain to be seen, but the Bears want to add another pass rusher and address the offensive line in the next few weeks. While making a trade to better their roster seems essential at this point, some Bears are also generating some trade buzz, which could determine who this team goes after based on what they get in return. Keenan Allen was once a player expected to create some buzz, but after dealing with an early-season foot injury, those talks have died down, which could be a good thing for this team. If he is no longer on the block, who are the names being discussed in Chicago? One of those names shouldn't come as a surprise according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport is Khalil Herbert is hearing his name mentioned as a potential trade candidate. Herbert was expected to battle for the No. 1 RB spot this season until D'Andre Swift was signed and has now fallen to No. 3 on the depth chart behind Roschon Johnson. He has gotten to the point where he is seeing minimal snaps at best, and if he wants a chance to play, he may need a change of scenery. Although not an every-down back by any means, Herbert is still someone you can plug in for 50% of your offensive snaps and can count on to give you 15-20 touches in both the running and the passing games. A big reason for his interest comes from the injuries at the RB position across the league, as teams desperately need RB depth. A mid-round pick when the Bears took him four seasons ago, Chicago wouldn't get much back for him in return. Still, it would open up more playing time for Johnson and clear the way for Chicago to potentially add another offensive weapon at the deadline to take this team to the next level. Another name mentioned is one the Bears fans hope is true, as OG Nate Davis is being brought up. Another one of the starters turned reserve player, Davis battled through a training camp injury that prevented him from being in game shape most of the summer, but he was still given the starting job in week one. From the moment he was given that job, it looked like a massive mistake. Davis has been awful all season and looked lost on the field in blocking schemes. More than half the pressures against Caleb Williams came from his position, and the Bears couldn't afford to leave him in there if they wanted the offense to take the following steps. It was an easy decision to move Davis to the bench, and barring an injury, it doesn't appear as if he will get his starting job back in Chicago. At this point, Chicago and their fans would trade him for a hot dog vendor to get him out of the Windy City. With Davis making 11.3 million to sit on the bench, the Bears are desperately hoping someone makes them an offer where they can move on from him. Should they be forced to hold on to him for the final year of his deal, they could ultimately cut him in the offseason, which would clear up nine million. He is the one player on this entire roster that comes with the most question marks and is a guy who won't be around too much longer.
