The Chicago Bears have officially gone from early-season curiosity to full-blown NFC powerhouse. At 9-3 and sitting atop the conference, they’ve turned heads across the league - and they’re not just winning games, they’re making statements.
Their latest? A gritty, ground-and-pound win over the Philadelphia Eagles, followed by a little help from the Carolina Panthers, who knocked off the Rams to vault Chicago into the NFC’s top seed.
But while the defense has tightened up and the offense has found a rhythm, one of the biggest reasons behind the Bears’ surge is a name no one had circled in September: Kyle Monangai.
Yes, that Kyle Monangai - the rookie running back out of Rutgers, taken in the seventh round, who’s now become one of the most productive surprises in the entire NFL. He’s not just contributing - he’s changing games.
From Afterthought to Offensive Anchor
It took a few weeks for Monangai to carve out a real role in the Bears’ backfield, but once the coaching staff gave him the rock, he didn’t look back. His breakout came against the Saints, where he racked up 81 yards and a touchdown, showing flashes of the power and vision that made him a menace in the Big Ten.
Then came the Bengals game - 26 carries, 176 yards. That’s not just a solid outing. That’s a “we might’ve found our guy” kind of day.
And just when you thought it might be a one-off, Monangai doubled down. Against the Eagles, in a game with major playoff implications, he ran for 130 yards on 22 carries and punched in another touchdown. His backfield mate, D’Andre Swift, also had a day with 125 yards and a score, but Monangai set the tone - again.
A Downhill Force with More Than Just Power
What’s made Monangai so effective is his ability to blend physicality with surprising burst. He’s built like a classic downhill runner - low center of gravity, tough to bring down - but once he hits the second level, he’s got enough juice to make defensive backs pay. He’s not just lowering the shoulder; he’s slipping tackles, hitting cutback lanes, and showing real feel for the position.
He’s now scored a touchdown in four straight games, and in five of the last seven. He’s logged 10 or more carries in five of those seven contests, and on the season, he’s up to 591 rushing yards and five touchdowns, averaging an impressive 4.9 yards per carry.
That kind of production, especially from a seventh-round rookie, is rare. And the ball security?
Even more impressive. Word is, he hasn’t fumbled since high school.
In a league where turnovers can flip games, that kind of reliability is gold.
The Bears Found a Gem
It’s not often a seventh-round pick becomes one of the best rookies in the league, but Monangai is making a strong case. He’s not just filling in - he’s elevating the Bears' offense. And as the team continues to stack wins and eye a deep playoff run, Monangai’s emergence might just be the X-factor that separates them from the rest of the NFC.
The Bears’ front office deserves credit for this one. In a draft class filled with bigger names and flashier picks, they found a grinder who’s turning into a game-changer. And if Monangai keeps running like this, Chicago’s postseason dreams might just run right through him.