The Chicago Bears look like they have found a real one in rookie running back Kyle Monangai.
A seventh-round pick out of Rutgers (No. 233 overall), Monangai started his first-ever NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, November 2. All he did in the outing was rush for 176 yards on 26 carries (6.8 yards per attempt) and add three receptions for 22 yards in an electric and chaotic 47-42 victory for Chicago.
Head coach Ben Johnson awarded Monangai the first of two game balls in the locker room following the contest, after which the RB offered a raw and heartfelt speech to his teammates.
“Hey, I appreciate everybody in this room, man,” Monangai said. “It was my first start. Nobody knew what I was gonna do, but I told ya’ll I was gonna step up to the plate. Whatever I gotta do to get the next one. Hey, five wins right there. We gonna go get a sixth one next week. Appreciate ya’ll.”
For the season, Monangai has now rushed for 362 yards and one score on an average of 5.3 yards per carry. He earned the start after a groin injury sustained by running back D’Andre Swift, which sidelined him in Cincinnati Sunday.
Swift, and the Bears running game as a whole, had come on in recent weeks. He tallied outings of 108 rushing yards against the Washington Commanders, followed by a season-high 124 yards on the ground against the New Orleans Saints in the next game. Swift took a step back last week, putting up just 45 rushing yards in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Bears’ First-Round Pick Colston Loveland Produced Best Game of NFL Career Against Bengals
GettyChicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland.
Chicago’s second game ball went to tight end Colston Loveland, who finished the afternoon with six catches for 118 receiving yards and two scores, including the game-winning touchdown of 58 yards on a pass from quarterback Caleb Williams in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.
“Hey, I appreciate you guys. I love you guys,” Loveland said to the locker room. “Bro, like this [expletive] is so fun. We got to keep winning. Keep going in, working every day. Let’s keep it rolling.”
Loveland, also a rookie, was the No. 10 pick in Johnson’s first draft as a head coach. He had by far the best game of his young career on Sunday and has now amassed 17 catches for 234 receiving yards and two scores on the season.
Ben Johnson Delivers Impassioned Speech to Bears Players After 5-3 Start to Season
GettyChicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson.
It was Johnson, who handed out the game balls to Monangai and Loveland, who was easily the most impassioned speaker following the game.
“Hell yeah! Five wins man!” Johnson exclaimed to his players. “Halfway point, 5-3, and I know it wasn’t [expletive] pretty. But don’t apologize for a win in this league guys. Don’t [expletive] apologize. We did what we had to do.”
“Enjoy this win. It took all 60 minutes for that one,” Johnson continued. “Here’s what I know about this group, here’s what I know. If it is close in the fourth quarter … if it is close in the fourth quarter, you better [expletive] watch out!”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Kyle Monangai Hits Bears With Raw Message After Earning Game Ball in 1st NFL Start appeared first on Heavy Sports.