Introduction to Kyle Monangai
Bears guard Luke Newman was taking off his cleats at the end of the Bears’ rookie minicamp Sunday when he introduced himself to running back Kyle Monangai. “Kyle,” he said, “you terrorized us.” In the regular season finale Nov. 30, Monangai ran a whopping 31 times for 129 yards and one touchdown in a 41-14 Rutgers win against Newman’s Michigan State team. “They know my name up there in East Lansing,” Monangai said.
Monangai’s College Career
They know his name in a lot of Big Ten cities. In 16 conference games the past two years, Monangai eclipsed 100 rushing yards eight times. He was first-team All-Big Ten last year and graduated as the second leading rusher in the history of Rutgers. He never fumbled in his five-year college career and has been a captain twice.
Measurables vs Production
He was available for the Bears to draft in Round 7, though, because, while his production is elite, his measurables are not. The production: Monangai averaged 105.9 rushing yards per game over the past two seasons at Rutgers. Only three other Power 6 conference running backs had more during that time. One was drafted in Round 1 last month, the other in Round 2 and the third in Round 6. Monangai waited until Pick 233 to hear his name. The reason: he ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine last year, the third-slowest among the running backs class. He stands 5-foot-8 — no one shorter than him was drafted this year.
Overcoming Doubts
“I think my football career path has kind of been one of, like, ‘He’s a good player. But there’s something off,’” Monangai said Sunday. “Something that, ‘I don’t think I’m going to put him at the pedestal he should be.’ “I was never always talked about in the top guys, usually, from Pop Warner to middle school, high school, college, and then now even. So it’s not a new space, not a new environment for me. It’s a role that I embrace, something that I take on. And I think it’s, honestly, what’s made me the player I am.”
Opportunity with the Bears
Whether Monangai’s production can transfer to the NFL level without the perfect body type is one of the most compelling storylines of the Bears’ offseason. More than most of the Bears’ Day 3 picks, he’ll have an opportunity to make an impact. Despite needing a running back to team with starter D’Andre Swift and short-yardage back Roschon Johnson, the Bears didn’t sign an established player in free agency or draft one higher than Round 7.
Competition and Role
General manager Ryan Poles could still add a veteran free agent — J.K. Dobbins is coming off a career-high 905 rushing yards with the Chargers and former Browns star Nick Chubb is working to regain his burst after a grisly knee injury. Monangai, though, will get first crack at sticking in the team’s running back rotation. “My short exposure to D’Andre Swift has been really positive,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said. “He has been really attentive. He’s a pro. Obviously, you like what he does in the passing game — and he’s gonna be a home-run hitter as a runner. Adding Kyle to that mix is going to be awesome, with the group that’s in there with Roschon and those guys.”
Coaching and Development
Doyle has noticed the way Monangai carries himself — he sits in the front of team meetings, taking notes and answering questions intended for the group. Poles likes Monangai’s physicality, willingness to pass-block and the balance he maintains when he takes on tacklers. It will be hard to measure Monangai until the pads come on, but there’s no doubting the opportunity in front of him. Something needs to change in the Bears’ rushing attack. Swift averaged 3.8 yards per carry last year, a career low. Johnson averaged 2.7 last season after posting a respectable 4.3 the year before.
Conclusion
The running back feels like he’s been questioned his whole life. “I don’t concern myself with who went before me and all those things — the draft is over with …” he said. “[It’s] definitely something I’ll take with me as some fuel, a chip on my shoulder. But that’s kind of been my whole career and my path to getting here. The things that allowed me to excel in college, I’ve got to figure that out at this level first and then use those things to my advantage. “I expect to see the same results.”
FAQs
Q: What were Kyle Monangai’s college stats?
A: Monangai averaged 105.9 rushing yards per game over the past two seasons at Rutgers and graduated as the second leading rusher in the history of Rutgers.
Q: Why was Monangai drafted in Round 7?
A: Monangai’s measurables, such as his 4.6-second 40-yard dash and 5-foot-8 height, were not considered elite.
Q: What is Monangai’s role with the! Bears?
A: Monangai will compete for a spot in the Bears’ running back rotation, alongside starter D’Andre Swift and short-yardage back Roschon Johnson.
Q: Who are some veteran free agents that the Bears could still sign?
A: The Bears could still sign veteran free agents such as J.K. Dobbins or Nick Chubb to add depth to their running back corps.
