The immediate speculation after the Chicago Bears concluded their draft last weekend was that the team would explore adding a veteran running back.
Throughout the week, rumors have continued that the Bears are interested in Nick Chubb and that a deal could be finalized soon. That may be news to Bears' general manager Ryan Poles, however. While joining ESPN 1000 on Thursday morning, Poles doubled down on the running backs that the Bears currently have on their roster.
As it stands, the Bears have D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, Ian Wheeler, and Kevin Monangai at the running back position. Homer can be put to the side, considering his value on the 2025 Bears will be on Special Teams
That leaves Swift, Johnson, Wheeler, and Monangai. Swift will likely be the featured back in the Bears' offense, but as the team looks for their version of David Montgomery, Johnson would seem like the player that Poles has in mind. Poles mentioned Johnson by name on Thursday, as the running back who may benefit the most from the improved offensive line. Wheeler is a little bit of a wild card, considering he missed his rookie season due to an ACL injury.
It's also possible that the Bears truly do envision Monangai having an important role on offense. After all, Adam Rank of the NFL Networks believes the arrival of Monangai means the Bears no longer need a veteran running back like Chubb.
Bears fans shouldn't sleep on Kyle Monangai
"I truly believe Kyle Monangai is going to have a huge role on this team. I don't think we're going to sign Nick Chubb,' Rank said on the latest episode of his podcast.
The #Bears don't need Nick Chubb when they have Kyle Monangai...@adamrank: "I truly believe Kyle Monangai is going to have a huge role on this team. I don't think we're going to sign Nick Chubb"#thesickpodcast @GBraggsJr23 pic.twitter.com/s5YkOTri4P
— The Sick Podcast with Adam Rank (@sickpodadamrank) May 1, 2025
Among the comparisons that have been made to Monangai is Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. While that seems to be tied to the fact that both running backs are from Rutgers and were seventh-round picks, Monangai didn't fumble once during his collegiate career and is a good runner after contact. As his ceiling, Monangai certainly can be the answer for the Bears' running back needs. However, again, it would be a risk for the Bears to count on that during Monangai's rookie season.