The Chicago Bears boasted one of the NFL’s most productive rushing attacks through the first four weeks of the season, ranking first in rushing yards per game (196.3) and fourth in yards per carry (4.9).
But with Kyle Monangai sidelined by thumb and turf toe injuries, that once-dominant ground game has taken a significant step backward.
During Monangai’s two-game absence, the Bears have averaged just 89.5 rushing yards per game and 3.1 yards per carry. That’s a staggering 54.4% drop in rushing yards per game.
Monangai has yet to practice since suffering his turf toe injury and was listed as a DNP on Monday and Tuesday’s injury report.
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With the Bears preparing to face a stout Patriots run defense Thursday night, can they afford another game without Monangai?
Bears Struggling to Replace Monangai’s Production
Replacing Monangai’s production would be a tough task for most running backs, let alone a third-stringer like Roschon Johnson.
But that’s exactly what Johnson has been asked to do over the past two games. Against Green Bay, he managed just six rushing yards on five carries, though he did contribute five receptions for 34 yards.
Johnson saw a bigger workload in Week 6 against Atlanta, rushing 13 times for 51 yards and a touchdown. However, a costly fumble overshadowed an otherwise decent performance. He also chipped in another 34 yards through the air on two catches.
Meanwhile, Bears’ lead running back D’Andre Swift has struggled to find the same success without his usual partner in crime.
Against the Packers, Swift averaged a respectable 4.8 yards per carry but rushed just nine times, finishing with 43 yards and a touchdown.
Things weren’t nearly as productive against the Falcons. Despite finding the end zone twice, Swift managed just 44 yards on 16 carries, averaging a measly 2.8 yards per attempt.
Granted, Atlanta is no pushover against the run. Entering that Week 6 matchup, the Falcons were allowing just 80.2 rushing yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry. They also rank in the top 10 in both Rush EPA and Success Rate allowed.
Still, the difference in Swift’s production with Monangai in the mix is obvious. Through the first four weeks of the season, Swift averaged 4.5 yards per carry, 17.3 attempts, and 77.8 rushing yards per game.
Monangai carried the rock 10 times in each of the first three games before breaking out against the Jets in Week 4, rushing 30 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Through four games, he has averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry and 81 rushing yards per game.
And this isn’t anything new. Swift and Monangai proved last season just how dangerous they can be together, helping the Bears finish third in the NFL with 144.5 rushing yards per game.
Monangai finished his rookie regular season campaign with 783 yards on 169 carries (4.6 YPC) and five touchdowns.
With Caleb Williams back under center, we know just how explosive this Bears offense can be. But having both Swift and Monangai in the backfield gives Ben Johnson even more ways to attack a defense. Swift’s speed and elusiveness, paired with Monangai’s bruising running style, make for a dangerous combination. Add in Johnson’s creative formations and pre-snap motion, and defenses have plenty to worry about before the ball is even snapped. Roschon Johnson can fill in, but he simply doesn’t pose the same threat as Monangai.
Patriots Run Defense Presents a Tough Challenge
Having a back like Monangai who can keep defenses on their toes is especially important for Thursday night’s matchup against a Patriots run defense that’s allowing just 3.9 yards per carry (12th), a figure that’s dropped to 3.5 over its last three games.
Williams was outstanding this past Sunday, completing 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards. And there’s no reason he can’t put together another strong performance against New England. But having a reliable running game to complement him makes this offense that much tougher to stop.
So, can the Bears survive another week without Monangai? Absolutely.
New England’s defense has its vulnerabilities, ranking 18th in both overall EPA per play allowed and dropback success rate allowed. The Patriots are also surrendering 5.2 yards per play this season, a number that’s climbed to 5.7 over their last three games.
Perhaps their biggest weakness is allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 66% of their passes, ranking 24th in the NFL.
And who better to exploit that weakness than Caleb Williams, who just so happens to lead the league in completion percentage (72.5%)?
But there’s no denying how much this offense misses Monangai. The numbers speak for themselves, and having two legitimate starting running backs gives Ben Johnson another dimension that Roschon Johnson simply won’t be able to replicate.
If Chicago wants to continue being an offensive juggernaut, getting its bruising second-year back healthy and on the field is essential.
