The LA Chargers had to quickly rebuild the running back room this offseason after sporting one of the worst rushing attacks in the league last season. As a result, new general manager Joe Hortiz leaned heavily on players he was familiar with from the Baltimore Ravens. Both Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins signed with the Bolts in free agency.
Add in sixth-round rookie Kimani Vidal and fans are optimistic about how this running back room compares to last season. While last year's team had a bigger name in Austin Ekeler, it was unable to provide any consistent support for the passing game.
The running back room is certainly is a better position but that does not mean it cannot improve. Los Angeles should be looking for improvements wherever possible, especially with the risks involved with this particular running back group.
One potential flier that should have Chargers fans very excited is Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert. While there is a lot of time left until training camp cuts, Herbert has been circled as an early candidate to be cut by Chicago (h/t Adam Jahns and Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic)
"Herbert and Johnson also worked with Williams and the starters. And yet, it wouldn’t be surprising if Herbert is considered on the bubble at Halas Hall. He’s in a contract year and the Bears drafted Johnson last year and signed Swift this year."
Chargers should make up for past draft mistake and sign Khalil Herbert if cut by Bears
The Chargers have taken several stabs at running backs late in the NFL Draft and none of them have panned out in recent years. Herbert was circled as someone who would fit on the Chargers prior to the 2021 NFL Draft and even though he fell to the sixth round the Chargers opted not to take him.
Instead, the Chargers drafted Larry Rountree in the sixth round ahead of Herbert. Rountree is no longer on the team and is not even signed to an NFL roster.
Herbert has proven that he can be a productive NFL running back even if his situation in Chicago might lend himself to being cut. He has averaged 4.9 yards per carry throughout his career and would be a great member of LA's running back rotation.
Of course, as currently constructed, the Chargers don't really seem to have room for Herbert. But that is assuming that everything goes right in LA. Both Edwards and Dobbins have concerning injury history that should not be ignored. Isaiah Spiller has not proven he can be productive as an NFL back and Vidal is still just a rookie. Nothing is guaranteed there.
If Herbert becomes available in late August and there are any type of question marks around these existing backs then it is a no-brainer for the Chargers to bring in a third Herbert to the fold.