The Bears are in their bye week, but the bigger story is what comes next: a stretch run in the NFC North that could finally give Ben Johnson the kind of offensive balance he’s been waiting for.
For much of the season, Chicago has operated without fully tapping into what was such a defining part of Johnson’s offense a year ago. D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai formed one of the league’s most exciting backfield duos, and that pairing gave the Bears a running game that could change the shape of a game.
This season, that edge has been harder to access. Even so, Johnson’s offense has still been one of the league’s most productive units.
That’s why Monangai’s return matters. Getting him back gives Chicago a chance to lean into the ground game again, shorten contests and win in a different way.
Swift has been steady throughout his time in Chicago, but the run game takes on a different look when Monangai is on the field. It also gives Johnson a better chance to protect Caleb Williams and keep him from absorbing too many hits as the season wears on.
The timing could hardly be better. With the final two months shaping up as a brutal fight for the division, the Bears have reason to believe their offense is about to hit another gear. That would not only help keep Chicago in control of the NFC North, but also give Johnson more time to get his offense ready for a deep January playoff run.
Monangai’s first game back could come with a heavy workload, especially against a New Orleans Saints team that has struggled this season. It has the feel of a game where the Bears can control the clock, lean on their healthy rushing tandem and set up an important Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Monangai has already produced 324 rushing yards and three touchdowns in only four games this season. With him back in the mix, the Bears have every reason to think there’s still another level to reach.
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Bears Bye Week Put These Practice Squad Names In Focus
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Bears Bye Week Still Carries Huge Stakes In The NFC Race
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There is also a broader playoff ripple to track beyond the division race, with games involving New England, Dallas and San Francisco carrying potential impact on Chicagos positioning. For a team sitting out this weekend, the stakes are still real, and every result around the league can push the Bears a little closer to, or a little farther from, the path they want in January. [Read more 🡒]