This past season, the Chicago Bears indeed found a gem in rookie running back Kyle Monangai. As a guy who saw several players taken ahead of him at his position back in the 2025 NFL Draft, he would go on to outperform the majority of them.
Why? How?
Well, if you ask Bears legend and NFL Hall of Famer, Mike Singletary, it's pretty simple. Singletary was kind enough to take some time and sit down and chat about football and faith, among other topics.
One of the questions I asked him was about Monangai, who was, of course, a seventh-round pick just this past year.
I specifically asked Singletary why we saw someone like Monangai -- who was drafted so late, with plenty of running backs labeled "more talented" ahead of him -- was able to have such an incredible rookie season. In the same breath, the question became: "Why is sheer talent not enough in today's NFL?" to which Singletary had some wise words in his reply:
"Sheer talent has never been enough."
Mike Singletary called out exactly what Kyle Monangai did to make his rookie season so special
He went on.
"It all comes down to… How deep am I willing to go? How deep am I willing to dig in myself and get all of the gold and silver that’s in me, and bring it out? And really, it’s that individual. Are you willing to dig deep?”
Listening to such thought-provoking words coming from a man who knows the game better than just about anyone was, well, thought-provoking.
Monangai didn't have the draft billing. He didn't have the hype. He was an afterthought back in April of last year. Every team passed on him, including the Bears, multiple times. And, just when he might've thought he wouldn't hear his name called, Chicago came calling.
The former Rutgers standout would go on to compile 947 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns while playing second fiddle to D'Andre Swift.
Just imagine what Monangai could've done had he been given the bulk of the carries. Not to say the Bears should have done that, but his productivity was through the roof as the second one in line.
I am sure he had to do exactly what Singletary pointed out; looking deep within himself, after the NFL made their stance on him crystal clear, nearly falling out of the draft ... and boy did he ever pull out some silver and gold.
I'll leave you with this thought: imagine if every player in the NFL dug as deep as individuals like Monangai and Singletary. How could the league not become an even better product?
Read more: Mike Singletary’s words on Ben Johnson hit different for long-suffering Bears fans
Thank you to Mr. Singletary, once more, for taking the time to chat for a bit on behalf of his partnership with Athletes in Action and the annual Super Bowl Breakfast.