Through the first three games of the season, Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai played on just 36 percent of the offensive snaps while starter D’Andre Swift played on 65 percent of the offensive snaps.
The tables turned in the Bears’ 23-12 Week 4 win against the New York Jets. Swift had 15 carries but finished the game with only 58 rushing yards and he lost a fumble. Monangai, on the other hand, had a career-high 30 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Chicago found a lot of success running to the right side of the line with guard Jonah Jackson and tackle Darnell Wright. Wright spoke after the game about Monangai’s grit and talent on the team.
“He’s strong every time he touches the rock,” Wright said. “He’s fast, he’s smart, he’s strong,
he works his a-- off. What’s showing up is his work throughout the week.”
Chicago even got third-string running back Roschon Johnson involved a little with his first four carries of the season which went for 16 yards; his longest run was 11 yards. Swift seemed to be in Ben Johnson’s dog house later in the game, perhaps because of the fumble. The fact that the Bears turned to Swift twice on a goal-to-go situation from the one-yard line and did not score also probably caused some frustration with Swift, which opened the door for Monangai to have this kind of performance.
Both Monangai and Swift should have the chance to get a lot done on the ground for Chicago in their Week 5 game against the Green Bay Packers. Not only have the Packers been the worst rushing team on offense in the NFL, but they have also had one of the worst run defenses through the first four weeks.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Darnell Wright praised Bears RB Kyle Monangai after career day vs Jets
