The diamond in the rough is an NFL general manager’s dream scenario. For the Chicago Bears, such a scenario became a reality in 2025 when they made their last selection – 233rd overall, seventh round – on an undersized bowling-ball type running back from Rutgers named Kyle Monangai.
What began as what looked like a depth move to bolster veteran D’Andre Swift came to unfold into one of the best stories of the 2025 season. Monangai not only made the roster, he became a linchpin of an offensive revival that helped carry the Bears into the NFC Wild Card round in early 2026.
From the Banks of the Raritan to Soldier Field
Monangai came to Chicago with the reputation of an “unflashy,” yet, incredibly durable back. At Rutgers PKU, he had made his mark as the first Scarlet Knight to be named First-Team All-Big Ten offensively. Most impressively, he didn’t fumble in any of his 669 college carries — a reflection of the “pro mindset” he was bringing with him to Halas Hall.
The 5’8″, 207lb back started his rookie year as a situational backup but finally broke out in the Lions’ week 9 game against the Cincinnati Bengals when an injury to Swift forced him into a starting role. Monangai was a masterful workhorse, carrying…176 yards—a performance by a Bears rookie that ranks second all-time behind only Anthony Thomas.
Electric Duo: Monangai and Swift
As the season went on, head coach Ben Johnson realized that the Bears were most effective offensively when Monangai and Swift were splitting carries. The “one-two punch” culminated in one of their 2014 highlights, as the two totaled a combined 255 rushing yards during a Week 13 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Monangai ran for 130 yards and a touchdown in that game, helping to make him half of the first pair of Bears teammates with two 100-yard rushing games in the same game.
By the time his rookie season was over, Monangai’s figures had the makings of a steal on draft day:
- Rushing Yards: 783
- Average Rushing: 4.6 yards per attempt
- Touchdowns: 5
- Receptions: 18 for 164 yards
- Ball Security: 0 fumbles lost in 17 games
Banging Its Head Against the Rookie Wall — and on What Comes Next
So the calendar turned to January 2026, and the grind of the N.F.L. season took its toll. Monangai had a slow end to the regular season, compiling no more than 50 yards on the ground over last five games. The rookie “hit the wall,” critics claimed when defenses began loading up the box to stop his North-South running style.
Monangai was still a workhorse in the Bears’ Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers on January 10, 2026, despite late-season fatigue. He ran for just 27 rushing yards, but he was vital in pass protection and churning out “dirty yards” on third-down situations in the 31-27 win.
Why Monangai is the future of the Bears Backfield?
The emergence of Monangai, however, isn’t just a serendipitous scout’s discovery, it’s also part of the Bears’ organizational makeover to favor “physical and high-character” players. The contact balance and professionalism Monangai brings are the reasons general manager Ryan Poles has constantly mentioned that Monangai, by default, had a spot on the team.
As the Bears prepare to take on the Rams, the story about Monangai has gone from “can he play?” to “how much can he handle?” With an entire HFL offseason to add bulk to his frame and absorb Ben Johnson’s playbook, Monangai is now more than just a seventh-round flier. He’s one of the blocks for the Chicago Bears moving forward.
The Giant Among Men: Olivier Rioux Makes College Basketball History
A versatile writer mainly works on trending news, daily updates from politics, business, crime, current affairs and entertainment.
