The Chicago Bears found immediate success on offense in Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach, where they were a Top 10 offense in a variety of categories. That included their rushing attack, led by veteran D’Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai.
Swift and Monangai led to a top-three rushing attack, averaging over 140 yards per game. It was also a resurgence for Swift, who had a career year with 1,087 rushing yards (his second ever 1,000-yard season) and nine touchdowns. Monangai, in a complementary role, totaled 783 yards and five touchdowns.
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame ranked D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai as the fourth-best running back duo in the NFL. That’s behind Los Angeles’ Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, Pittsburgh’s Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren and New Orleans’ Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara.
With Ben Johnson as the team’s coach, the Bears were expected to run the ball effectively after watching him scheme up Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in Detroit. As it turns out, those expectations were correct.
Chicago ran its way to the NFC North title with an 11–6 record behind Swift and Monangai, with the former rushing for 1,087 yards while the latter, a seventh-round rookie, picked up 783 yards. No back who ranked second in rushing yards on his own team had more than Monangai.
Going into 2026, the Bears are hoping quarterback Caleb Williams becomes the first man in franchise history to throw for 4,000 yards. If he does, that’ll open up the rushing lanes even more for Swift and Monangai as Johnson’s scheme expands in his second campaign with Chicago.
The Bears didn’t make any moves to upgrade at running back this offseason, and they’re clearly comfortable riding the 1-2 punch of Swift and Monangai as Johnson’s offense looks to take another step forward. With a top offensive line and quarterback Caleb Williams’ mobility and playmaking ability, Swift and Monangai are positioned to lead a top-five rushing attack once again in 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears’ D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai rank among best RB duos in NFL
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
