Kyle Monangai's Quiet Rise: From Seventh-Round Pick to Bears' Trusted Playoff Back
Kyle Monangai entered the National Football League without headlines or hype. He left his rookie season with something more valuable: trust, responsibility, and a playoff carry that put his name on the national radar. That single moment explains why the Chicago Bears running back has become a talking point across league circles.
A Defining Playoff Moment
On January 18, 2026, during the NFC Divisional Round at Soldier Field, the Bears faced a critical fourth-and-short situation against the Los Angeles Rams. Chicago handed the ball to Monangai. The play itself failed. Rams linebacker Nate Landman and safety Kamren Curl closed the gap instantly, stopping Monangai at the line of scrimmage and forcing a turnover on downs.
NBC's broadcast noted during the game that the Rams "won the moment up front." ClutchPoints reported after the game that the stop shifted momentum and quieted Soldier Field. Yet the decision to give Monangai the ball revealed everything. It showed how far the seventh-round rookie had climbed in just one season. Chicago trusted him when the margin for error completely disappeared.
From Overlooked Recruit to Reliable Prospect
Monangai's journey began long before that playoff snap. He joined Rutgers as a three-star recruit from Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey. He waited patiently behind Isiah Pacheco before finally taking over the backfield. By the time he left Piscataway, his résumé stood among the program's best.
He finished his college career with 3,221 rushing yards, second in Rutgers history behind only Ray Rice. He recorded impressive back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2023 and 2024. Most remarkably, he never fumbled the football once across 707 career touches. That extraordinary reliability directly shaped Chicago's interest.
Earning His Stripes in Chicago
The Bears selected Monangai in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, with pick number 233. His draft slot reflected concerns about limited long speed, not a lack of trust in his abilities. As a rookie, Monangai played in all 17 regular-season games. He carried the ball 169 times for 783 yards and five touchdowns. He also added 18 receptions for 164 yards.
His most productive stretch came between Weeks 9 and 13. During that period, he rushed for 405 yards and four scores as Chicago leaned heavier on its ground game. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus highlighted Monangai's value after a Week 12 win on December 1, 2025. During his post-game press conference, Eberflus said Monangai "runs with discipline and protects the football."
What Monangai Represents for the Bears
Monangai stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 211 pounds. He may lack breakaway speed, but he runs with exceptional balance, patience, and control. His perfect zero-fumble college record has carried seamlessly into his NFL career so far. Chicago did not draft him to be flashy or spectacular. They drafted him to be dependable and consistent.
His entire rookie year proved that this dependability travels. It holds up under pressure, even in the high-stakes environment of January playoff football. Kyle Monangai's rise did not come with loud announcements or dramatic fanfare. It came steadily, through quiet hard work and proven performance. That steady climb earned him the biggest, most trust-filled carry of his entire season.
