Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai took advantage of his six carries during his preseason debut against the Miami Dolphins. He totaled 30 rushing yards and looked every bit the part of a light-footed, powerful back whose low center of gravity and contact balance will serve him well in the NFL.
But running backs must do more than just pick up yards. They also have to pick up blitzes and oncoming pass rushers. And that's where Monangai struggled a bit.
He knows it, too.
Overall, it was a promising first look at Kyle Monangai. In fact, he ran with the kind of authority and forward-falling motion that Bears Nation clamored for D'Andre Swift to do in 2024.
Swift's biggest shortfall last season was his inability to pick up the tough yards and break arm tackles, something that clearly won't be a problem for Monangai in 2025.
Monangai ended his last season at Rutgers with 256 carries for 1,279 yards and 13 scores. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry over his final two seasons and proved against the Dolphins' starting defense that the NFL isn't too big or fast for him.
With Roschon Johnson nursing a foot injury, the opportunity for Monangai to solidify the RB2 role (and then some) is there. Now, it's up to him to improve his pass protection so Ben Johnson and the rest of the coaching staff can trust him in key moments.
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