Who Should Carry the Load for the Bears Down the Stretch?
For the first time in years, Chicago has built an offense capable of competing with the league’s best. Nearly all season, the Bears have ranked inside the top ten in both points and yards per game, and the engine behind that surge has been their dominant ground attack. Chicago leads the NFL with 153.8 rushing yards per game, an especially impressive feat considering it’s been powered by a true two-back system rather than a single workhorse. That balance has not only kept defenses guessing but also allowed Chicago to control the tempo and wear down opponents deep into games.
Entering the season, D’Andre Swift was expected to carry most of the load. Chicago didn’t add much competition behind him, and early expectations were that he would command the majority of touches. Instead, the opening month saw the opposite. Through the first four weeks, the running back room had been a major problem. They had struggled to get anything going, and it was one of the biggest weaknesses of the team. The Bye Week arrived at the perfect time, giving the Bears some time to reset and from that point forward, everything changed.
Swift has since taken off, stacking multiple 100-yard performances and stabilizing the offense when the passing game faltered. The former second-round pick now has 774 rushing yards, five touchdowns, and another 237 receiving yards with a score. His burst and versatility have been invaluable, but they haven’t been enough to keep an emerging challenger from cutting into his role. As Chicago continues to lean on a balanced backfield, Swift now faces renewed competition that could reshape how the Bears distribute touches down the stretch.
Rookie Kyle Monangai has been the revelation of the season. His bruising, downhill style perfectly complements Swift’s explosiveness, giving Chicago a balanced backfield with two distinct threats. As a seventh-round pick, expectations were modest until Swift missed Week Nine. Monangai seized the opportunity, exploding for 176 yards on 26 carries in a breakout performance that changed the trajectory of the backfield. Since then, Chicago has leaned into a near-equal split, with Monangai climbing to 591 yards and five touchdowns while gaining the trust of the coaching staff.
Their combined effort was on full display against the Eagles. Swift posted 125 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while Monangai added 130 yards and a score of his own on 22 attempts. Without both backs firing, Chicago likely wouldn’t have secured that crucial win. Together, they give the Bears a rare blend of speed, power, and unpredictability; a combination few defenses have handled well.
Deciding who should lead the backfield moving forward isn’t straightforward. A balanced approach keeps both backs fresh and forces defenses to adjust on the fly. However, there will be moments when Chicago needs one player to take command, and Monangai’s physical style and momentum make him increasingly difficult to keep off the field. Swift remains a valuable playmaker, but injuries and mileage are realities the Bears must consider. Leaning more on a strong, fresh rookie may offer the offense greater stability and punch down the stretch. As Chicago pushes for the playoffs, this backfield duo may be the key to maintaining momentum. If Swift and Monangai continue to complement each other at this level, the Bears’ offense will remain one of the toughest units to slow down in the NFC.
