30 Most Important Bears of 2026: Kyle Monangai (No. 19)

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a hyped 2026 season, where they’re looking to build off their impressive first season under head coach Ben Johnson, which included an NFC North title and a wild-card playoff win. While they found success in 2025, it’s a brand new slate for this Bears team following an offseason of change, including the departures of key veterans and the additions of new veterans and exciting rookies.

The work begins in training camp, where Johnson will put his team through the wringer with the intent to prepare them for the 2026 season. Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2026 season. We’ll recap their 2025 season, look ahead to 2026 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.

We have gotten through the twenties and now get to the teens, starting with Kyle Monangai at No. 19, who impressed as a rookie as a complement to D’Andre Swift and will now look to build on his success as a sophomore.

The Bears needed a complementary back to D’Andre Swift in the worst way last offseason, and they landed on seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai out of Rutgers. In a draft that was rich with running backs, winding up with Monangai seemed like a disappointment. Turns out it was a blessing. Monangai had to bide his time behind Swift before getting more opportunities during the middle of the season, and he didn’t disappoint. While he finally got going in Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints, his coming-out party took place in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals. That’s where Monangai ran for 176 yards on 26 carries while filling in for an injured Swift. From there, Monangai became RB1B as he and Swift rotated to stay fresh and establish a dominating ground attack that was one of the best in the league. He and Swift each eclipsed 100+ yards against the Philadelphia Eagles, and he was a critical component of the offense’s success with his punishing running style. Monangai finished the year with 783 yards and five rushing touchdowns.

Monangai is no longer just a fun story about a seventh-round draft pick earning meaningful carries. He’s depended on to give the offense a steady presence as a bruising back to go along with Swift’s quickness from the start. The Bears’ ground game and offense as a whole turned a corner when Monangai started seeing more snaps to spell Swift as the calendar flipped to October. With the run game humming, quarterback Caleb Williams and the passing game benefitted greatly. Johnson will be counting on both backs to be ready to carry the load, which means Monangai should blow past his 162 attempts from last year. He’ll also need to be prepared to adapt to defenses learning his tendencies now that there is plenty of film on him available.

Last season, there was no question Swift was the lead back despite coming off a lackluster year in 2024. This year, that status is a lot less clear. Swift was fantastic in 2025, but Monangai surprised everyone with how well he adapted to the pro level so quickly. And seeing as he’s more of a power back compared to Swift, there could be a scenario where Monangai overtakes him in the pecking order. With how the two split carries in 2025, the Bears will most likely ride the hot hand depending on how the game goes each week. If Monangai can build on his 2025 performance, however, Johnson may be inclined to use him as the early-down back with Swift becoming more of a change-of-pace option. It will be one of the more exciting storylines to follow going into the regular season.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 30 Most Important Bears of 2026: Kyle Monangai (No. 19)