Kyle Monangai is entering his second year as the firm number two running back for the Chicago Bears behind D'Andre Swift. The game certainly doesn't get easier, but the 24 year old running back now meets certain expectations entering the second season of his professional career. There's a massive difference between entering training camp as a seventh-round pick trying to earn a role and returning as the established Number two running back behind Swift.
Kyle Monangai can focus on football instead of navigating the unknown
"Just, building, like, there's not the 'head on a swivel,' not knowing what to expect now. And then now with that ease of mind, I can kind of just go play, focus on what really matters. Not like the extra stuff, and just focus on the day-to-day process."Kyle Monangai
Monangai has the great benefit of continuity. Though the Bears did see their offensive coordinator Declan Doyle leave to fill the same role with the Baltimore Ravens, the offense is still run through head coach Ben Johnson. Being consistent and being able to produce repeated reps is difficult to do when the system is changing.
If Monangai feels more comfortable, he'll be more relaxed on the field, and he's likely to play better. Last year, there were a million things going on all at once for the seventh round rookie. Not only was he competing for his spot, but he was learning a new system with new coaches, on top of learning an entirely new playbook. With those large portions out of the way this year, it leaves much more brain space for Monangai to improve his game.
Monangai has already done the hardest part. He's firmly a member of the Bears backfield, and now his attention must be on growth and development in his second season. The Bears clearly have confidence in him, and they have good reason to. As long as Monangai can keep his head off of the swivel, he's in good shape to take another step forward in 2026.
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