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Bears Running Back Debate Is Closer Than Many Fans Realize

Kyle Monangai's late-season surge has created intrigue, even if D'Andre Swift remains the safer bet atop the depth chart.
ByParker Hurley|
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Wm. Glasheen /USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
Wm. Glasheen /USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. | Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears flipping the lead back in their two-headed running back attack could be an expected move in 2026. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report is predicting a Kyle Monangai breakout, and with that, he anticipates Monangai exceeding D’Andre Swift in production. 

Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai is a projected breakout candidate

There is a good reason to assume the breakout. Monangai was a seventh-round pick last year, so he was not expected to make an impact. Early in the season, he was not making an impact. The team eased him along, and by the end of the year, he was in much more of a 50/50 split with Swift. 

From Week 8 through the end of the season, Monangai had 127 carries for 597 yards. He added 12 catches for 103 yards. Over that same time period, Swift had 123 carries for 623 yards. He added 16 catches for 107 yards.

So, the split was close. That is why Knox sees Monangai as a breakout candidate. The gap between the two backs was much smaller than many would assume when looking at their numbers to close out the year rather than the full season.

Now, Swift is entering a contract year, and he is another year older. Meanwhile, Monangai is at the age where another year older is a good thing, and means that he could be ready to take a step forward. If Swift plateaus or declines a bit and Monangai improves, he could take hold of the split. 

However, there is still just as much of a chance that Swift continues to dominate the touches. Swift only played eight games down the home stretch while Monangai was healthy for all 10. One game includes a six-carry for 14-yard performance, but another includes 26 carries for 176 yards when Swift was not available. 

So, when the two were active together, the lead still went to Swift down the stretch. More than that, Swift remains the more efficient player. Monangai averaged 4.6 yards per attempt while Swift was at 4.9. Swift had a 54.7% success rate while Monangai was at 50.9%. 

Monangai is good for his role, and the split in the second half could end up playing out through an entire year. However, seeing Monangai eclipse Swift would be surprising given how good Swift is and how much of an impact he has on the offense.

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