In a game that had its fair share of fireworks, one moment from the Bears’ Week 14 loss to the Packers stood out-not because it changed the scoreboard, but because it sent shockwaves through the field (and apparently, through a helmet).
Late in the game, rookie running back Kyle Monangai lowered his shoulder and met Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper head-on in a collision that could only be described as bone-rattling. The hit was so intense that pieces of Cooper’s helmet visibly flew off, and the sound of the impact echoed through television speakers like a sledgehammer hitting steel.
It wasn’t a highlight-reel touchdown or a game-saving play, but it was the kind of moment that gets replayed in film rooms and locker rooms alike. Monangai, for his part, didn’t even realize the magnitude of the hit until after the final whistle.
“I didn't know it was that bad until I got to my phone in the locker room, honestly,” Monangai said when asked about the play. “But yeah, it was a pretty big collision. I wish I got more yards out of it.”
That quote says a lot about Monangai. He’s not out there trying to make viral clips-he’s trying to move the chains. And while the hit didn’t result in a big gain, it did send a message: this rookie isn’t backing down from anyone.
A Seventh-Round Surprise Turning Heads in Chicago
If you told Bears fans back in April that a seventh-round pick would be their most impactful rookie by December, you probably would’ve been met with a few raised eyebrows. But here we are, and Kyle Monangai is doing more than just holding his own-he’s becoming a key piece in Chicago’s offense.
Through 13 games, Monangai has racked up 648 rushing yards and five touchdowns, averaging an impressive 4.8 yards per carry. He’s moved the chains 33 times on 135 carries, and those aren’t empty numbers-they’re the result of tough, physical runs that keep drives alive and defenses honest.
What’s made Monangai’s emergence even more effective is how well he complements D’Andre Swift in the Bears’ backfield. Swift brings the speed and agility, the quick cuts and outside bursts.
Monangai brings the thunder. He’s the guy who’ll lower his pads, hit the hole hard, and make defenders think twice before stepping in front of him.
It’s a classic one-two punch, and it’s working.
A Coach’s Dream Rookie
Head coach Ben Johnson couldn’t have scripted this any better. Monangai was thrust into a bigger role earlier than expected, and he hasn’t just survived-he’s thrived. He’s shown patience behind his blockers, toughness in short-yardage situations, and a level of maturity that belies his draft position.
He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable. And in a league where durability and consistency often mean more than raw talent, that makes Monangai a valuable asset for a team looking to build something sustainable.
It’s still early in his career, but if this season is any indication, Kyle Monangai isn’t just a feel-good rookie story-he might be the Bears’ future at running back.