The Chicago Bears were a team many figured as a potential landing spot for one of the 2025 NFL Draft, and they did select one. However, coming away with seventh-round runner Kyle Monangai was a far cry from the pre-draft projections.
So what happened?
ESPN’s Dan Graziano offered insight into several of the league’s lingering offseason questions, and the Bears’ decision to pass on a “big-name running back” was among them.
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“When Chicago hired former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as its new coach, many people began fantasizing about him replicating Detroit’s run game with his new team,” Graziano wrote on May 14. “Mock drafts bent over backward to find a way to get Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to Chicago to form a similar thunder-and-lightning duo with D’Andre Swift.
“At this point, the Bears appear to be running it back with Swift, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer and a seventh-round rookie — even after Chicago’s 4.0 yards per carry tied for third worst in the NFL last season.”
The Bears did ink Swift to a three-year, $24.5 million contract in 2024. Johnson was effective as a short-yardage specialist.
That does not mean the Bears’ eyes did not wander.
“In the Bears’ estimation, free agency didn’t offer them the chance to build out a lethal [David] Montgomery/[Jahmyr] Gibbs-style pairing, and after Jeanty, neither did the first round of the draft,” Graziano wrote. “There’s also more than one way to build a reliably explosive Ben Johnson offense.
“With only one football to go around, it feels like Bears fans maybe shouldn’t be getting greedy.”
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The Bears’ decision to bulk up the interior of their offensive line is sound on paper. In addition to their ground game struggles, Caleb Williams absorbed 68 sacks with 160 pressures and 40 QB hits as a rookie.
However, the Bears’ oft-maligned offensive line ranked eighth in ESPN’s Run Block Win Rate and 15th (average) in Pass Block Win Rate.
That would seem to suggest an upgrade is needed in the backfield at running back.
However, the Bears have continued to pass on the options available to them. That seemingly bodes well for Swift, who received plaudits from Johnson, who coached him while both were with the Detroit Lions.
“I … think very highly of him. He’s an explosive athlete. There’s a number of things that he can do, both in the running game and the passing game. I do think he can help ignite an offense because he’s got that playmaking ability,” Johnson told reporters in February at the scouting combine. So, it’ll be fun to start to work together again here this springtime with him.”
New Bears running backs coach Eric Bieniemy also praised Swift, while expressing his excitement for the room.
“First of all, I think we got a good young group of young men, who’s worked their tails off,” Bieniemy told Clocker Sports in April. “I know Swift has been in this league for a while now. Actually had an opportunity to spend some time with him. Think he’s an upstanding character, a man of good character. Works his tail off. Love what he brings to the table, so I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Bears High on Kyle Monangai
Johnson’s name has not come up as often. Perhaps that is an ominous sign, with Monangai bringing a physical presence, albeit in a smaller package. Most likely, all three backs will see a noteworthy share, at least early on, with Homer mixing in as needed and playing special teams.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles spoke glowingly about Monangai.
The Bears’ GM notably cited the rookie’s pass protection prowess, which could help him see the field early on if he proves capable.
“Physical, tough runner. High, high, high, football and personal character. We believe he can come in and compete,” Poles told reporters in April. “We like his contact balance, and, again, just the physical nature of how he plays football, and his pass protection is really good as well.”
Swift set a career-high in rushing attempts, logging his second-most yards and touchdowns.
He ranked 25th in yards before contact per attempt among running backs, per Pro Football Reference.
Johnson rushed for 150 yards at 2.7 yards per carry (partly due to his role) with 6 rushing TDs on the season. He was a healthy scratch in the 2024 season opener and missed two games with a concussion during the campaign.