The Chicago Bears were widely expected to take a running back in the 2025 draft, and they did, when they took Kyle Monangai in the seventh round.
Many thought the Bears would add an RB sooner than that, and the they tried, attempting to move up in Round 2 to select Rhamondre Stevenson, according to a behind-the-scenes video shared by the New England Patriots.
In their 2025 rankings of the RB rooms of all 32 NFL teams, PFF placed the likes of D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson and Monangai 30th. Barring a trade or the addition of a lower-tiered free agent, these three are expected to tote the rock for Chicago. But one analyst thinks just two of the three are roster locks.
On the June 18 episode of 670 The Score’s “Spiegel & Holmes” show, co-host Laurence Holmes and guest host Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times discussed the Bears’ current situation at running back, and Holmes thinks it’s not safe to assume Monangai is a roster lock.
“It’ll be interesting to see how all of this goes,” Holmes said. “I’m not as fascinated with Kyle Monangai as everyone else is.”
Will RB Kyle Monangai Earn a Roster Spot, or Could He Wind Up Getting Cut?
GettyKyle Monangai of the Chicago Bears be a surprise cut candidate.
“What I keep trying to tell folks is that even though they drafted a running back, I wouldn’t be shocked if he got cut,” Holmes said. “Just because seventh round picks get cut.”
“That doesn’t mean he won’t get resigned,” Holmes added. “But seventh-round picks get cut. And there are also other cuts that go on in the NFL where they might go, ‘Oh — that guy that just got cut from New England would be a really good fit for what we do. That’ll be how we fill that roster spot behind D’Andre Swift.’ Or unnamed UDFA outperforms him in camp. Who knows?”
Monangai arrived at Rutgers in 2020 and, despite redshirting his first year, quickly became a workhorse in the backfield. Over his five seasons with the Scarlet Knights (2020–2024), he racked up 669 carries for 3,221 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns, finishing with 38 receptions for 252 receiving yards and 1 receiving TD—all without fumbling once His career average of 4.8 yards per carry is also impressive.
His senior year was nothing short of spectacular: he led the Big Ten in rushing, notched six games with 150+ yards—including a 208-yard outing versus Akron—and forced an impressive 73 missed tackles in 2023 alone, tying for 8th nationally according to Pro Football Focus. He averaged 123.1 all-purpose yards per game, finishing second in the conference, while also contributing as a reliable blocker in both run and pass protection.
Some Believe Monangai Will Fill David Montgomery Role in Ben Johnson’s Offense
The #Bears finally take their running back: Rutgers RB Kyle Monangai in Round 7.
Love the value of this pick so late. Low center of gravity, intelligent and patient runner. I had him in Round 5 — love him as a complementary back.
Holmes has a point. Seventh-rounders do get cut, and frequently.
But Windy City Gridiron’s Bryan Orenchuk looked at whether Monangai could “be the Knuckles to D’Andre Swift’s Sonic in Ben Johnson’s offense similar to David Montgomery,” and he has faith the rookie can grow into that role.
“I feel the run game will be accented by a more diverse passing game led by Caleb Williams and the multiple weapons at his disposal,” Orenchuk wrote. “But with the short area burst/quickness, pass blocking, tackle breaking and ball security of Kyle Monangai, Knuckles will once again have a role in Ben Johnson’s 2025 offense. And his name is Kyle.”
It’s far too early to predict whether or not the Bears will part ways with Monangai before the regular season, as training camp and the preseason have yet to begin. If he impresses, he’ll surely stick around. But if another unforeseen addition or undrafted rookie enters the mix, Monangai’s job will be far less safe. We’ll see how the Bears choose to handle the situation.
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