Advertisement

Bears' rookies just did something no one else has ever done in Super Bowl era

Nicholas Moreano
Nicholas Moreano

Bear Goggles On

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears / Cooper Neill/GettyImages

The Chicago Bears’ 2025 NFL season couldn't have happened without the rookie draft class. 

General manager Ryan Poles and his staff identified several major contributors who played significant roles in the Bears' 11 wins, clinching the NFC North, and advancing to the playoffs. First-round draft pick, second-round pick Luther Burden III, and seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai accomplished something that has never been done in the Super Bowl era. 

The trio of rookies all compiled at least 650 scrimmage yards. Monangai led the way with 947 yards. Loveland added 711 total scrimmage yards, and Burden finished with 689 scrimmage yards. 

Bears' rookies had a season to remember in 2025

At different points throughout the season, each one of the rookies had a signature game to help lead the offense. Loveland had his breakout performance against the Cincinnati Bengals and caught six passes on seven targets for 118 yards and two touchdowns, including his 58-yard touchdown with less than 20 seconds remaining in the game to help Chicago defeat Cincinnati, 47-42. 

Burden had his 100-yard receiving game in the win against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. Burden caught three passes on three targets for 101 yards and a touchdown. 

Monanagai took over at the lead back for an injured D'Andre Swift in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals back in Week 9. As the feature back, Monangai ran for 176 on 26 carries and averaged 6.8 yards per carry. 

Read more: NFL analyst's shocking prediction does not bode well for Bears $110 million star

The Bears got major contributions from a majority of their 2025 rookie class, which includes offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo, who helped stabilize the left tackle position. This group of rookies will make up the core of players who could help the team become a consistent contender in the NFC. 

Nicholas Moreano

Nicholas Moreano

Nicholas Moreano is FanSided's Super Contributor for Bear Goggles On. Moreano has covered the Chicago Bears as a credentialed media member for the last five years and has been creating content on the team since 2015. He currently covers the Bears for Marquee Sports Network as a Digital Media Coordinator. He has previously written and co-hosted podcasts for CHGO Sports. Moreano specializes in diving into game film and breaking it down with the players in the locker room at Halas Hall. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa and obtained his master's degree from DePaul University. As a kid, Moreano grew up watching Spider-Man movies and Dragon Ball Z.