LOS ANGELES — Bears rookie running back Khalil Herbert didn’t go to “Radio Row” on Friday to hawk anyone’s product or promote someone’s website. He just wanted to see the Super Bowl circus for himself.
“I didn’t know that it was this intense,” he said. “But it’s definitely an experience.”
Could he imagine having to play in a game this weekend?
“I’ve been imagining that since I was a kid,” he said. “Hopefully I’m gonna get there one day. Hopefully next season. It’s definitely surreal being here.”
Herbert flew to Los Angeles after meeting with new Bears coach Matt Eberflus for the first time Thursday at Halas Hall. Eberflus repeated what he said when he was hired: He wants his players to be ready to run.
“I love his energy — being able to see him in person and get to talking a little bit, just how he is and to see his demeanor,” Herbert said. “The staff he’s hired, I feel like he’s gonna do a great job.”
That staff includes new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, the Packers’ former quarterbacks coach.
“I feel like we’re gonna have some fun on offense,” Herbert said.
After running for 403 yards and two touchdowns on 103 carries, Herbert is spending the offseason working on his speed and strength in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“Capitalizing on my rookie year,” he said. “Learning from the things I did well [and] the things I did bad.”
Bears’ staff finalized
After three more hires Friday, the Bears are done building their coaching staff.
Carlos Polk, a former Nebraska standout and Chargers linebacker and special-teams player, is their new assistant special-teams coach. Polk held that role with the Jaguars last season, with the Cowboys in 2019 and with the Buccaneers from 2014 to 2018.
Justin Hinds, Western Carolina’s defensive coordinator last year, will be the Bears’ assistant defensive line coach. Kevin Koch, who had been Northwestern’s defensive quality-control analyst the last three years and once served as an assistant at Benedictine University in suburban Lisle, will hold the title of coaching assistant.
Desai to Seattle
Former Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai will be the Seahawks’ associate head coach, a source confirmed — but he won’t be their defensive coordinator. Desai interviewed with coach Pete Carroll for that position last month, but the job went to another former Bears assistant, Clint Hurtt.
Desai talked to multiple teams about their coordinator jobs, including the Giants, Raiders and Vikings, in the month since the Bears fired coach Matt Nagy.
This and that
As expected, the Rams put tight end Tyler Higbee on injured reserve Friday, ruling him out for the Super Bowl. Higbee hadn’t practiced since hurting his knee in the NFC title game. The Rams also put offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (chest) on IR.
• Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah practiced in full Friday after being limited by a groin injury. He’s expected to play Sunday.
• In conjunction with Pro Football Hall of Fame selections this week, Bears fan Terrence Young was one of three people picked for the Ford Hall of Fans, which honors the league’s biggest supporters.
