Every NFL season, it seems like an offensive player breaks out of nowhere and helps fantasy football managers win their league. This year's breakout player just might be Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai.
Several media outlets this summer hailed Monangai as a fantasy football sleeper with draft-steal potential written all over him.
Chicago Bears fans already knew this, especially after Monangai cemented himself as the de facto running back 2 in Ben Johnson's offense late last season. In the final six games, Monangai really came into his own, racking up 322 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, along with eight catches for 67 receiving yards.
How 2026 looks good for Kyle Monangai with Bears and fantasy football owners
While these numbers don't jump off the page, they are still impressive for a rookie who was primarily used as a change of pace to give D'Andre Swift a breather now and then. And he was incredible in this role. As the 2026 campaign progresses, the expectation is that Monangai will carve out a larger role in a Bears offense that just dropped 59 points in Week 1.
Monangai finds himself in a unique position to succeed in fantasy football this season and help Bears fans win their league. As fantasy football managers, we tend to favor workhorse running backs who get over 20 touches per game, such as Derrick Henry or Christian McCaffrey. But at the end of the day, a great performance from one of your flex players can be a true difference maker. Monangai's knack for explosive plays, paired with an expanded role, makes him a no-brainer flex start every week, especially in a 12-team league.
Bears fans who drafted Monangai (and may have reached for him) should be excited about what they've seen so far. The second-year back diced up the Carolina Panthers for 100 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries! He accomplished this while splitting the backfield with Swift. In fantasy, it looks like the best is yet to come for Monangai, especially if Swift goes down with an injury.
If you overlooked Monangai during your fantasy football draft, fear not—there is still plenty of time to join the Monangai hype train by trading for him. Due to Swift gaining more snaps and touches than he does, it's likely Monangai will have at least one below-average game soon. In fact, he gained 10 fantasy points or more just four times last season, per FantasyPros.com. If he were to have a streak of games with 10 fantasy points or less, that would be a perfect opportunity to try buying low and making a trade for Monangai.
Monangai is another example of the growing trend of Rutgers running backs making a name for themselves in the NFL as power running backs who wear defenses down. Lions running back Isiah Pacheco and former running back Gus Edwards are great examples of this as well.
Read more: 6 Vikings that Bears must make sure they shut down promptly in Week 2
Monangai will look to continue his hot streak in a Week 2 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. during the Bears' home opener.
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