The Chicago Bears' season ended in an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday evening, and it was a battle that could've have been scripted by NFL Films. The flurries in the air and the frozen turf at Soldier Field looked like something John Facenda would have narrated from the heavens, and it was a game that just felt like it was going to revolve around the rushing attack.
Running back D’Andre Swift was up to the challenge, running 19 times for 76 yards, but Kyle Monangai was a disappointment, toting the ball 13 times for 36 yards on the evening. After seemingly being called out by head coach Ben Johnson earlier in the week, Monangai didn’t seem to answer the bell, leaving his future in Chicago up in the air as the Bears head into the offseason.
Kyle Monangai' Concerning Play Is Giving Bears Reason for Pause
For a seventh-round pick, it’s hard to imagine a back having a better season than Monangai. The Rutgers product ran for 783 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games, and with 4.6 yards per carry, he felt like the punishing complement to Swift’s elusive style in the backfield.
But things began to tail off in the final game of the regular season when Monangai had just 14 yards on six carries in a loss to the Detroit Lions. While the Bears were able to defeat the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round, Monangai had just 27 yards on eight carries, leading Johnson to issue the challenge going into Sunday’s game, citing the Bears’ running game had “dipped" in recent weeks, per Zack Pearson of 247 Sports.
Monangai appeared to be on his way to a big response after ripping off a 15-yard run on his third carry of the game. But he gained just 21 yards on his other 12 attempts. With Monangai ineffective, the Bears opted to use Swift on three straight running plays on a critical sequence inside the Rams’ five-yard line with under five minutes left in regulation. After Swift was stuffed, it’s fair to criticize Johnson for not putting Monangai into the game. But it’s also understandable considering he had done nothing with his opportunities.
As a result, the Bears needed a miraculous 14-yard touchdown throw by quarterback Caleb Williams to tight end Cole Kmet on a 4th-and-4 with 18 seconds left in regulation. The game went to overtime, where a Williams interception allowed the Rams to drive down the field and set up Harrison Mevis for the 42-yard game-winner.
Bears Could Bring in Competition for Monangai After Dud vs. Rams
After Monangai was mothballed in the second half, Bears fans should wonder what happens next. This year’s draft has a top running back prospect in Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, but it doesn’t have the depth that this year’s class had. The free agent market could also come calling for Monangai’s job, as Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, and Travis Etienne could all be targets once the Bears clear enough cap space.
It may seem like a knee-jerk reaction considering the complete body of work Monangai had in his rookie season. But as a late-round draft pick, players’ spots are usually on a year-to-year basis, and Monangai did nothing to solidify his spot after his struggles in the playoffs.