The Chicago Bears' running game hasn't gotten much going so far this season. They rank in the middle of the pack in rushing yards per game (113.3), but Caleb Williams is responsible for 97 of those rushing yards, and not necessarily by design.
Despite dealing with a hip injury, veteran RB D'Andre Swift has played 81, 57, and 61 percent of the snaps through their three games this season. After watching him average roughly 3.6 yards per carry, though, it might make sense to give rookie Kyle Monangai more opportunities.
Kyle Monangai Deserves More Touches With Bears' Run Game Struggling
Monangai's performance was one of the biggest talking points in training camp. Ben Johnson gushed about his continuous improvement, and it seemed like he was going to have a featured role in the offense right out of the gate:
"Monangai has really hit a stride there over the course of the spring and camp," Johnson said last month, via Bryan Perez of Chicago Bears on SI. "I trust that guy at this point, that's a big thing to say for a young player like that. He tends to do everything right."
So far, however, the rookie has only played 54 snaps. While his averages of 3.4 yards per attempt aren't that impressive on paper, he's showcased impressive patience, vision, and tackle-breaking skills in limited snaps this season.
Monangai wasn't a factor as a pass-catcher in college. Nevertheless, the Rutgers product has hauled in three catches on five targets this season, and he has the elusiveness to be used in the two-minute offense as well.
Even if Monangai hasn't turned heads with his numbers, it's not like Swift has ever been a star. He only has one season with 1,000 rushing yards or more in his career, and it came three years ago behind the Philadelphia Eagles' juggernaut of an offensive line.
Swift is in the second year of the three-year, $24 million deal he signed with Chicago last offseason. Running backs usually fall from grace once they turn 27 or 28 years old. Given that Swift is already 26 years old, the team should already be seeking out younger, cheaper options. Swift is also banged up with multiple injuries entering Week 4, and there's no need to take any risks when they have another promising option there.
First-year coach Ben Johnson knows his running game needs to improve, but he believes it's not just a matter of personnel. The offensive line went through a bit of an overhaul, and those players are still getting used to their new zone-blocking schemes:
"I think I've alluded to it in the past that it can take a little bit of time before this all meshes and it all gels together. We’ve got some new faces up front that haven't played a ton of ball together yet," Johnson said on Wednesday, via Marquee Sports Network.
Still, with Swift looking like an average back through three games, the Bears might be better off giving their rookie tackle-breaker a longer leash. He made a strong impression in training camp, and he deserves a chance to prove what he's got.