Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai had a quiet statistical game in his team's Week 3 win over the Dallas Cowboys, finishing with 20 yards from scrimmage on seven total touches. Bears RB1 D'Andre Swift still appears to have a strong hold on the backfield touches in Chicago, as Swift finished with 78 yards from scrimmage on 16 total touches. Neither Bears running back is averaging four yards per carry so far this season, so Monangai could work his way into a larger workload if he can improve his production over the course of the season. In deep fantasy leagues, the 23-year-old could be a worthy stash candidate depending on overall roster construction.
Sep 22, 2025 10:52 AM EST
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai is quietly carving out a role in the backfield. For a seventh-round pick, earning early trust isn't easy, but Monangai has quickly impressed both coaches and teammates. He played 42% of the snaps in Week 3, totaling eight touches for 36 yards against a stout Detroit Lions run defense. Head coach Ben Johnson singled him out as one of the few bright spots in the loss. With Roschon Johnson nearly phased out of the offense, Monangai looks set to serve as a complementary back behind D'Andre Swift, who is currently questionable with a hamstring injury after limited practice all week. Dallas' defense has struggled early in 2025, giving Monangai a potential opportunity to build on his momentum. If D'Andre Swift is inactive, Kyle Monangai immediately becomes a must-start RB3 and a player who should be rostered in all leagues. If Swift plays, Monangai slides back into his complementary RB2 role and remains a streaming option for Week 3.
Sep 20, 2025 12:30 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai logged seven carries for 28 yards and added one catch for eight yards in the team's 52-21 loss to the Detroit Lions. More importantly, Monangai appeared to leapfrog Roschon Johnson in the backfield rotation, playing 41% of the snaps while Johnson saw zero offensive snaps. Most of Monangai's work came in garbage time with quarterback Tyson Bagent, but head coach Ben Johnson singled him out as one of three players who impressed in the loss. There's even speculation that Monangai could start carving into D'Andre Swift's workload as the season progresses. For now, Monangai looks locked in as Chicago's RB2 and should be stashed in deeper formats. If his role continues to grow, he could emerge as a fantasy sleeper with contingent upside.
Sep 15, 2025 5:31 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai has "earned the faith" of the Bears coaches, according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. Monangai did not record a carry in Chicago's Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but Bears head coach Ben Johnson said that he needs to call more run plays in future games. Bears RB1 D'Andre Swift struggled to be efficient against Minnesota, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry. Monangai does not appear to be a serious threat to Swift in the short term. Still, he could be a late-season breakout candidate for fantasy managers to monitor if Chicago continues to struggle to move the ball on the ground.
Sep 13, 2025 2:27 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai will look to carve out a role in Week 2 after head coach Ben Johnson voiced confidence in him. Monangai saw minimal involvement in the Week 1 loss to Minnesota, catching one pass for 11 yards while logging just 14% of the snaps. Starting running back D'Andre Swift dominated the backfield with an 81% snap share, and with Roschon Johnson returning from injury this week, Monangai's opportunities could shrink even further. Facing a Detroit Lions defense that allowed the second-fewest rushing yards to running backs in 2024, Monangai remains well off the fantasy radar.
Sep 12, 2025 11:08 PM EST
According to Courtney Cronin of ESPN, Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson may look to give rookie running back Kyle Monangai more opportunities in the future. When asked about Monangai's usage on Monday, given that he logged nine snaps without any carries, Johnson expressed that "I need to call more runs" and "I need to call more so that we get him in the game a little bit more. That's something EB and I have talked about, making sure he has more carries going forward." In their season opener against the Vikings, veteran D'Andre Swift ran the ball 17 times and caught three passes. Monangai, the seventh-round rookie out of Rutgers, caught his lone target for 11 yards. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider stashing Monangai as it appears he could carve into Swift's role as the season progresses.
Sep 11, 2025 7:43 AM EST
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai was the team's primary backup for Week 1, with Roschon Johnson (foot) ruled out before kickoff. However, the seventh-round rookie from Rutgers was not very involved in the Bears' game plan. He played just 13% of the team's snaps compared to 81% for D'Andre Swift, and Monangai didn't get a single carry in his NFL debut. He did avoid the dreaded bagel by hauling in his only target for an 11-yard reception on the Bears' opening drive. His only other appearance in the stat sheet was a declined holding penalty, which isn't a great way to earn more playing time. Monangai still has the potential to grow into an expanded role down the road, but for now, he doesn't appear to be involved enough to be more than a handcuff to Swift.
Sep 9, 2025 9:39 AM EST
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring) has been removed from the injury report and is set to make his NFL debut Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings. The rookie seventh-round pick is expected to mix in for touches, especially with Roschon Johnson (foot) questionable, but D'Andre Swift should handle the clear majority of the workload. The matchup isn't favorable for Monangai, as the Vikings allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024. Given his limited practice time and uncertain role, Monangai doesn't offer startable fantasy value in Week 1. For now, he's best left on the waiver wire, though his early usage will be worth monitoring.
Sep 6, 2025 4:56 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring) is off the injury report and expected to make his NFL debut Monday Night against the Minnesota Vikings. Monangai was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday but saw full participation on Saturday and is in line to make his NFL debut this week. With Roschon Johnson (foot) very questionable this week, Monangai is projected to be the backup behind starter D'Andre Swift. He faces a tough matchup, as Minnesota allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in 2024. Monangai is expected to see some touches, which is notable for a seventh-round rookie. His volume is uncertain, but he is worth monitoring in deeper leagues or best-ball formats.
Sep 6, 2025 3:05 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring) is trending toward being available for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings, according to Courtney Cronin. Monangai has been limited in practice after injuring his hamstring before the final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. With Roschon Johnson sidelined in practice due to a foot injury, the Bears' backfield depth behind starter D'Andre Swift is thin. Monangai enters Week 1 as the RB3 on the depth chart, behind Swift and Johnson, meaning he could see meaningful snaps if Johnson is inactive. Minnesota's defense is formidable against the run, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards in 2024. While Monangai is not a startable fantasy option in Week 1, he should receive some touches, which is key for the seventh-round rookie that's trying to carve out a bigger role.
Sep 6, 2025 1:36 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring) logged a limited practice on Friday. He carried the same designation on Thursday. While the Bears won't play until Monday night, when Chicago meets the Minnesota Vikings, the rookie's status is somewhat concerning. With Roschon Johnson (foot) missing practice for a second-straight day, it appears there's a real chance he won't be out there in Week 1. If that's the case, Monangai will climb to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, assuming he's cleared to suit up. All things considered, it should still be D'Andre Swift getting most of the work out of the backfield. Although Monangai could see more involvement, it likely won't be enough to make him relevant from a fantasy standpoint. Managers can expect another injury update on Saturday.
Sep 5, 2025 11:44 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring) is on the team's Week 1 injury report and was listed as a limited participant in the first practice of the week on Thursday. Meanwhile, Roschon Johnson, Chicago's No. 2 RB behind starter D'Andre Swift, did not practice due to a foot injury. Monangai, 23, did not play in the preseason finale two weeks ago due to his hamstring injury, but if he's able to work up to a full practice by Saturday, it's possible that he'll be tasked with serving as the Bears' RB2 on Monday Night Football against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings if Johnson is ruled out. This is definitely a situation to watch for those in deeper leagues heading into the Week 1 season opener, but fantasy managers in standard 12-team formats can continue to ignore Monangai for now.
Sep 4, 2025 6:23 PM EST
The Chicago Bears have an established lead running back in D'Andre Swift, but the backup role is seemingly up for grabs. Incumbent Roschon Johnson (foot) has missed the majority of training camp. Reserves, like veteran Travis Homer and seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai, have also missed practice time in August. The latter has a chance to secure the backup role with Johnson's less-than-impressive r sum thus far. The Bears were one of the teams to keep an eye on to add another running back after cut day, but nearly a week has come and gone without a new face on the practice field. Monangai, who ran for 1,200+ yards in his final two seasons at Rutgers, is an interesting watch candidate and possible bench stash. However, there may not be any clarity about the Chicago backfield until a few games into the regular season.
Aug 31, 2025 11:20 AM EST
Chicago Bears rookie Kyle Monangai is carving out a meaningful role in the backfield behind starter D'Andre Swift. The seventh-round pick out of Rutgers has impressed with his compact 5'8", 207-pound frame, showcasing the physicality to grind out tough yards between the tackles. His hard-nosed running style complements Swift's shiftiness and should help ease pressure on quarterback Caleb Williams. Monangai's power makes him a candidate for short-yardage and goal-line work, boosting his fantasy value as a late-round handcuff. He's a name to monitor in deeper formats with the potential to see red-zone touches early in his career.
Aug 22, 2025 12:40 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (undisclosed) did not play in the team's second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Brad Briggs of the Chicago Tribune reported that Monangai was not in uniform for the contest. Other members of the Chicago media confirmed that the rookie running back was in sweatpants prior to the game. If Monangai were a veteran starter, this would likely mean that he was simply being held out of action to preserve his health ahead of the regular season. However, given that he's a seventh-round rookie near the middle or bottom of the depth chart, it's possible that he could be dealing with some sort of injury. The Rutgers product has generated plenty of buzz this offseason, with some speculation that he could push for the backup role or eventually even split the backfield with D'Andre Swift. His ascension to an impactful role will have to wait until he's healthy enough to play, though. For now, Swift will lead the backfield while Roschon Johnson backs him up. Brittain Brown also made a case for a roster spot by totaling nine carries, 43 rushing yards, and one touchdown during the first half of Sunday's contest.
Aug 17, 2025 10:17 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai is emerging as the workhorse that the Bears envisioned when they selected him in the seventh round of this year's draft. He had a strong debut in Sunday's preseason game against the Dolphins, rushing for 30 yards on six carries while working mostly in the first half. The Rutgers product showcased his tough, downhill running style, potentially mirroring the roles David Montgomery and Jamaal Williams filled as the hammer back in Ben Johnson's Lions offenses. Monangai logged 669 carries without a fumble at Rutgers, accumulating 3,221 rushing yards over four seasons, the second most in school history. Quarterback Caleb Williams and the coaching staff have consistently praised the rookie, and he is expected to be in the mix for touches alongside D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson in the Bears' backfield. He is a solid, cheap bet to make at the end of drafts in an ambiguous backfield.
Aug 12, 2025 12:14 AM EST
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai was efficient in his first preseason outing against the Miami Dolphins. The rookie carried the ball six times for 30 yards and didn't play in the second half. Monangai ran with determination, averaging five yards per carry in his first game action. Although currently fourth on the Bears' unofficial depth chart, Monangai played earlier than current third-string running back Travis Homer and was much more productive. He has also been seeing some first-team reps in practice this week, so it's a promising sign to see Monangai perform well. The seventh-round draft pick should get more playing time if he continues to look good and will be someone to watch in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.
Aug 10, 2025 5:18 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai is getting work with the first-team offense during 11-on-11 drills at training camp practice on Friday, according to Zack Pearson of 247 Sports. Monangai was seen working mostly with the second-string unit in practices earlier this week, but the 23-year-old seventh-round pick is getting a shot with the starters at the end of the week. It probably has something to do with Roschon Johnson (foot), who is the favorite for goal-line work this year, dealing with a foot injury at camp right now. In addition to Johnson, D'Andre Swift is also ahead of Monangai on Chicago's RB depth chart heading into his first NFL season. A lot can change in this Bears backfield as the season progresses, but as things currently stand, Monangai will be the RB3, at best, in a change-of-pace role that won't yield a ton of weekly opportunities.
Aug 8, 2025 12:38 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai received the "bulk of second-unit carries" in the team's practice on Tuesday, according to CHGO's Mark Carman. A seventh-round pick out of Rutgers, Monangai rushed for 1,279 yards and 13 touchdowns in 11 games in his final season with the Scarlet Knights. The Bears have veteran D'Andre Swift atop their running back depth chart, but it appears that Monangai could be pushing to unseat third-year rusher Roschon Johnson from the RB2 role. Carman noted that Johnson was still being utilized at the goal line, so it's possible that all three backs could play a role in Chicago this season. Monangai would need an injury to Swift to be fantasy-relevant in 2025, but he could emerge as an intriguing late-round handcuff option with a strong preseason.
Aug 6, 2025 7:58 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai has begun to earn the trust of the coaching staff. Head coach Ben Johnson said, "I'm very pleased with where he's at. I think he's a guy we're gonna be able to trust this fall," when discussing Monangai's development during training camp. The Bears selected Monangai in the seventh round (233rd overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Rutgers. During his final two seasons with the Scarlet Knights, Monangai averaged 1,270.5 yards per season and scored 22 total touchdowns. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Monangai's progression as he could find a role in the Chicago backfield. Last season, D'Andre Swift saw most of the opportunities but was very ineffective, posting a modest 3.8 YPC, which was the lowest mark of his career. For now, Monangai sits as the No. 3 option behind Swift and Roschon Johnson on the depth chart, but could be worth a late-round selection if he continues to gain traction.
Aug 4, 2025 6:52 AM EST