From “Not Part of the Plan” to Future MVP of the Bears — The Young RB With Over 3,813 Career Yards Are Forcing Chicago to Rewrite the Script

Chicago, Illinois – 12/05/2025

The Chicago Bears are entering a major turning point under Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson, but few expected the team’s biggest internal shift to come from a player once considered expendable: running back Kyle Monangai. The rookie, who began the year buried on the depth chart, has surged forward behind more than 3,813 career rushing and all-purpose yards, forcing the entire organization to rethink its long-term offensive identity.

It all began with small windows of opportunity — brief, seemingly insignificant touches. But every time Monangai carried the ball, the energy changed. His burst, his power through contact, his balance, and his ability to create something out of nothing quickly separated him from the pack. Within weeks, Monangai wasn’t just another back — he became the driving force behind a Chicago rushing attack that transformed from stagnant to dangerous almost overnight.

Seeing this shift unfold, head coach Ben Johnson delivered a statement that sent shockwaves through Bears Nation:

“Kyle doesn’t just run the ball — he makes us question everything we thought we knew about this team; every touch feels like a glimpse into a different future for the Bears, something we never dared to expect; and when a rookie does that, you’re forced to admit the old plan is already outdated.”

The data only strengthens that perspective. Monangai consistently breaks tackles, extends plays after contact, stabilizes pass protection, and serves as a reliable outlet for Caleb Williams in the checkdown game. More importantly, his rise has pushed Chicago to confront difficult decisions — particularly regarding D’Andre Swift, who no longer holds a guaranteed RB1 role.

Monangai is forcing the Bears to think like a team ready to contend: forget status, forget draft position, forget assumptions — build around the players who actually change games. And for Chicago fans, the most exciting part is knowing this is only the beginning.

If Kyle Monangai continues this trajectory, the Bears may have uncovered not just their next great running back, but a future MVP-caliber cornerstone — a star they nearly overlooked.