Rookie Running Back Shakes Up Bears' Depth Chart Ahead of Preseason

The Chicago Bears are heading into the 2025 season with a renewed sense of hope, despite a disastrous 2024 campaign that saw them fire their offensive coordinator and head coach during the year. The team has brought in Ben Johnson as their new offensive coordinator, and he is expected to help the offense take significant strides forward after his successful stint with the Detroit Lions.

While the Bears' stars, including quarterback Caleb Williams, will be the key to their success this season, there are some unsung players battling for starting spots during training camp. One such player is rookie running back Kyle Monangai, who has been turning heads with his impressive performances.

Surprisingly, when the Bears released their initial unofficial depth chart, Monangai was listed as the fifth-string running back, behind D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, and Ian Wheeler. This was a bit of a shock, as Monangai has been praised by Johnson for his progress in camp.

The Bears' new offensive coordinator is looking to recreate the successful running game he had in Detroit, which was led by the one-two punch of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. However, the Bears currently lack a duo as talented as those two players. Johnson is hoping that Monangai can work his way up the depth chart and earn a more significant role in the offense this season.

Despite his low placement on the initial depth chart, Monangai has the pedigree to make an impact. He carried a limited Rutgers offense on his back during his college years, rushing for over 2,500 yards and 21 touchdowns over the last two seasons. The Bears will be keeping a close eye on Monangai's performance in the preseason, as he looks to earn the trust of the coaching staff and secure a more prominent role in the offense.