Despite being linked to the top running back prospect ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, Ashton Jeanty, the Chicago Bears were unable to put themselves in a position to draft the former Boise State standout before the Las Vegas Raiders snatched him up for themselves.
Ultimately, Chicago's front office didn't address the running back position until much later in the draft. The Bears locked in on former Rutgers Scarlet Knights standout Kyle Monangai and brought him into the fold by selecting the rusher in the seventh round with the No. 233 overall pick.
Needless to say, that is quite the drop off from the rumors regarding the franchise's desire to land Jeanty. You wouldn't know that if you asked Chicago's GM, Ryan Poles, though. During an appearance on 670 The Score on Thursday, Poles singled out Monangai for his vision and feel for the position, among other things.
From 7th round draft pick to RB2? 👀#DaBears GM Ryan Poles had HIGH praise for rookie Kyle Monangai this morning on @670TheScore 🔊 pic.twitter.com/nRNGAUFwfs
— Bears on CHSN (@CHSN_Bears) August 14, 2025
Bears Rookie Kyle Monangai Clearly Making Strong Impression in Camp
As you can see from the video clip above, courtesy of Chicago Sports Network, Monangai has already surpassed the expectations the front office had for him when he was drafted by the Bears.
"Kyle's been doing a really good job," Poles replied when asked about the RB room. "You know, when you watch the tape, you really appreciate the vision, the feel at that position, and then the contact balance and the strength. A lot of times, you've seen guys excel and reach their ceiling because of those traits, and that's what he has."
Bears GM continued, "Sometimes I think that at that position, you can over-evaluate, you know, the 40 time. Kyle's a guy who is going to find the right crease. He's a fall forward. We saw that in that first preseason game. So, I'm really excited about him. He's surprised me. Even his hands are a lot better than I thought they were going to be. Also, [he's] going to help us in certain situations and check downs, and he's a pain. He's a guy that, you know, wears on you throughout the course of the game. And with that rotation with him, and Swift, and we'll see with, you know, Ro and Homer how, you know, that pans out. But, should be a pretty cool combination."
Poles noted the injury issues with Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer in his reply. Their absences have just opened the door wider for Monangai to show his full arsenal in practice as well as live game scenarios in preseason matchups, like the one Chicago has against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday.
We are probably still a ways away from serious conversations regarding Monangai and any potential push for the RB2 spot on the depth chart. These comments from Poles make that possibility slightly more real than it seemed when training camp opened just a handful of weeks ago.
Should Monangai have an impressive showing in front of the home fans this Sunday, the chatter could get even louder.