The Chicago Bears will have to look to someone other than Jaleel McLaughlin to challenge Kyle Monangai as the team's primary backup running back. Per DNVR's Zac Stevens, the Denver Broncos are bringing McLaughlin back into the fold.
It's too bad for the Bears, truly. Monangai is coming off a strong rookie campaign in which he averaged 4.9 yards per carry once Ben Johnson started giving him snaps during the latter half of the 2025 season. However, after his production tailed off to end the 2025 campaign, Chicago could use some competition for him entering 2026 to make sure he doesn't grow complacent. Coming into the league as a seventh-round pick, Monangai had to earn every inch he got in the NFL. He should be motivated by additional competition.
That competition won't be coming from McLaughlin. The Broncos did well to avoid tendering McLaughlin a $3.55 million offer. Instead, they brought him back at a cheaper rate. McLaughlin's 89.2 percent positive run mark would've been perfect for the Bears. That kind of efficiency would've made him an obvious short-yard situation option. McLaughlin's monstrous YPC, over seven yards per carry, out of shotgun sets, could've made him effective on any down, truthfully.
With that option off the table, what does Chicago do about its backfield now?
Bears Can Still Challenge Kyle Monangai Despite Jaleel McLaughlin Miss
Luckily, the Bears still have plenty of free-agent running back options to pursue to push Monangai and give them a bruising, short-yardage option behind D'Andre Swift.
Kansas City Chiefs free agent RB Kareem Hunt brings baggage, but he would bring veteran leadership to the table in the Windy City. Hunt amassed 163 carries for 611 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, even adding a score through the air, and may be boxed out of KC with the signing of Kenneth Walker III.
Los Angeles Chargers free agent RB Najee Harris is another short-yardage bruiser who'd make a lot of sense in the Bears' RB room. Harris isn't far removed from being the Pittsburgh Steelers' RB1, so he offers a higher ceiling than Hunt. If anything, Harris would be the likeliest option to make Monangai a clear RB3.
Cleveland Browns free agent Jerome Ford wouldn't threaten that. He's less of a short-yardage option and more in the Swift mold. Ford would settle in firmly behind Monangai but still push him as a veteran who will always give his maximum effort.
There are still moves for Chicago to make. McLaughlin would've been ideal, but Ryan Poles could still improve the RB room this offseason behind Swift and Monangai with what's out there.