The bad news is that the Chicago Bears will be without starting running back D’Andre Swift when the team takes on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. But the good news is that Kyle Monangai is ready to fill in and take the starting running back duties. And while this isn’t how any of us envisioned Monangai getting a crack at top billing in the backfield, I look forward to seeing how he responds to the opportunity that is presenting itself this week.
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The rookie running back from Rutgers has carried it 42 times for 186 yards. That comes ot to a 4.4 yards per carry clip, which is a respecable number. He also has a rushing touchdown under his belt, which is fun to revisit if you missed it the first time around. Monangai was the last player the Bears chose in their 2025 NFL Draft class. And even though he might not have been the team’s first choice, he has a chance to prove himself in a new way on Sunday.
Sep 14, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks to hand off the ball to Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (25) during the second quarter of the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn ImagesIt is Kyle Monangai’s time to shine
For what it’s worth, it sounds like Kyle Monangai has grown a bunch since first putting on the pads earlier this season.
“I feel like I’ve gotten better, and it’s with a lot of incremental stuff, small detail things,” Monangai said, via Marquee Sports Network. “The playbook was the top priority since I stepped foot in here, and it’s something I continue to work on as we game plan for different teams. I’m sure if you talk to (Bieniemy), he’ll have a list of areas where I can improve. I listen to him and try to apply everything I can each day.”
“I know that I’ve become a better player, a better running back, from the time that I got here ‘til now.”
Player development hasn’t always been a strong spot for the Bears. But this franchise has a knack out of making something out of nothing from the running back position, so I have hope that it can happen again with a new running back lined up to get a bulk of the carries.
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To be clear, that wasn’t meant to be a slight on Monangai, who was an accomplished ball-carrier at Rutgers before becoming a fan favorite in training camp. It’s just that we’ve seen players like D’Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert (twice!) win Ground Player of the Week awards for their exellence running the ball. In other words, I would not be surprised if Monangai has a breakout performance on the ground in his first action as a lead back.
Per Yahoo’s scoring system, no defense has given up more fantasy points to opposing running backs than the Cincinnati Bengals. That team has given up two-touchdown perfomances on the ground to Jordan Mason (Vikings, Week 3), Josh Jacobs (Packers, Week 6), and Breece Hall (Jets, Week 8). Cincy’s defense also gave up a touchdowns to both of the Detroit Lions’ top ball-carriers, coughing up a rushing touchdown to David Montgomery and allowing Jahmyr Gibbs to record a receiving score. It stinks that Kyle Monangai won’t have D’Andre Swift as his tag team partner on Sunday, but this feels like an opportunity to stake a claim to a larger workload moving forward.
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With D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson out, Kyle Monangai and Travis Homer are left as the top running back options in Chicago. However, let’s keep an eye on some practice squad elevations. Given the injury situation, I expect Brittain Brown to get flexed onto the game day roster at some point before Saturday’s afternoon deadline. So stay tuned.
May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (25) runs with the ball during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesHence then, the article about kyle monangai is ready to take on rb1 duties was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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