Who Should I Start? Keenan Allen or Khalil Herbert

Monday, March 25, 2:51 PM

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles said he thinks a long-term contract extension will come "down the road" for new wide receiver Keenan Allen, who is entering the final year of a four-year deal in 2024. "I try to be intentional with the order that we do extensions, so we'll review that and kind of see what our order looks like. But for what he stands for, I would love to have him long term," Poles said. The Bears might look to lock up DJ Moore first, but Chicago wants to keep their one-two punch of Moore and Allen around in the Windy City long term for USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who the Bears are expected to take first overall in the upcoming NFL draft. Despite missing the last four games in 2023 with an injury, Allen had a career-high 108 catches for 1,243 yards and seven TDs in 13 games for the Bolts. However, his numbers could come down in his first year in Chicago while sharing the load with Moore with a rookie QB likely running the offense.

Sunday, January 7, 10:31 PM

Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert had another chance to see a bulk of the workload with D'Onta Foreman (coach's decision) out again in Week 18. The 25-year-old rushed 12 times for just 28 yards in the team's 17-9 loss to the Packers while also catching two passes for 13 yards. After rushing for 731 yards a year ago, Herbert couldn't take a step forward and ended the year with just 583 yards with similar volume. The Bears drafted Roschon Johnson in 2023, and Herbert failed to separate himself this year as the true lead back for the foreseeable future. While the Bears were a run-heavy team in 2023, which allowed Herbert to thrive at times, they will either endure massive offensive change or continue to have a quarterback who takes rushing opportunities away. Herbert will look to earn a full bell-cow role in 2024.