Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson isn’t sounding the alarm on Kyle Monangai.
On the first day of full padded practice at training camp, Johnson was asked about the young running back’s absence and the injury that has kept him out. Monangai’s missed time has already been noticed by multiple outlets, with some even pointing to it as a reason the Bears should extend D'Andre Swift. But Johnson pushed back on any real panic.
"It's really the status quo. We're taking it day by day right now, but we're working through it.
He's working hard with his rehab, and it should be on the shorter side here. It's just a soft tissue deal."
That answer did a lot to calm the noise around Monangai. Johnson’s tone suggested this is being handled as a routine camp issue rather than something that should change the Bears’ outlook at running back.
Still, soft-tissue injuries are never something to brush off completely. They can drag on if they aren’t managed carefully, and camp is exactly the kind of setting where teams tend to play it safe. That caution can cost a player valuable reps, especially a young back trying to stack work early in camp.
For now, though, Johnson’s message was clear: this is a short-term situation, not a reason to start making bigger roster assumptions. If Monangai’s absence stretches well beyond what Johnson described, then the conversation changes. Until then, the Bears can let the rehab run its course without turning a manageable injury into a larger problem.
In Other News...
Tyson Bagent Is Making The Bears Feel Smart For Keeping Him
Caleb Williams has been the clear center of attention at Bears training camp, but Tyson Bagent has done more than just blend into the background. The backup quarterback drew plenty of praise for the way he handled practice work, showing off the mobility and passing traits that have made Chicago comfortable keeping him around as insurance behind Williams. With a roster spot that once seemed like it could be in flux, Bagent has kept making his case with steady work and a skill set the staff clearly values.
Bagents standing looks even better considering the competition behind Williams, with Case Keenum and rookie Miller Moss also in the mix for backup roles. Chicago already committed to him with a two-year extension before the 2025 season, and the decision looks smarter every day as training camp unfolds. For a team that has spent plenty of time thinking about its quarterback future, having Bagent look capable in August is exactly the kind of depth chart stability the Bears were hoping to preserve. [Read more 🡒]
Caleb Williams Just Raised The Pressure On A Rising Bears Weapon
Colston Loveland gave the Bears plenty to like in his rookie season, finishing with 713 receiving yards and six touchdowns while quickly showing why Chicago viewed him as more than just another young tight end. The early returns were strong enough to suggest he can become a central part of the offense, and now hes drawing even bigger expectations from the quarterback who will be tasked with helping unlock that next step.
Caleb Williams didnt just praise Lovelands future, he put a sizable ceiling on it by expressing belief that the tight end can grow into the best player at his position in the league. For Chicago, that kind of confidence is encouraging, but it also comes with pressure, because Lovelands development is no longer just about building on a promising rookie year. It is about meeting the standard now attached to him, and that will make every step of his progression worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Cole Kmet Is Sending A Message About The Bears New Offense
Cole Kmet seems comfortable with where the Bears are headed as they head into the 2026 season, and that matters because his role is one of the more interesting pieces in Ben Johnsons new offense. The tight end has made it clear he is more focused on winning than chasing personal numbers, a tone that fits with a coaching staff he already knows well and an offensive direction that appears built around collective goals.
Kmets perspective also says something about the mood around the building. For a team trying to establish an identity under Johnson, buy-in from veteran players is part of the foundation, and Kmets stance suggests he is viewing the scheme through that lens. His comments do not create any mystery about where he stands, but they do reinforce the idea that the Bears want the attention on the bigger picture rather than on any one players stat line. [Read more 🡒]