Chicago Bears RB Duo D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai Earn No. 2 Spot in Bleacher Report’s NFL Running Back Rankings

The Chicago Bears running back duo of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai landed at No. 2 in Bleacher Report’s fresh NFL running back duo rankings for the 2026 cycle. Moe Moton’s deep dive placed them right behind the Los Angeles Rams tandem of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. For a lot of Bears fans, that placement still feels like a slight.

Last season told a different story on the field. Chicago’s offense piled up 2,456 rushing yards, a mark that led the NFC and ranked 10th in franchise history. Swift and Monangai became the only backfield pair in the entire league where both backs cleared 750 rushing yards. The production was undeniable. The question now is whether the eye test and the advanced numbers line up enough to push them to the very top.

The Numbers That Almost Got Them to No. 1

Moton broke down every backfield across the league with an emphasis on recent production, how the backs complement each other, and their roles in both the run and pass games. The Bears duo checked nearly every box.

Here’s how the top two stacked up:

The margins stayed razor thin. The Rams edged Chicago in total yards and touchdowns, but the Bears duo posted a slightly better yards-per-touch figure. Both groups faced criticism for limited receiving production, so that factor didn’t swing the ranking either way.

What Held Chicago Back From the Top Spot

A couple of real factors kept the Bears from claiming the crown. Swift battled a groin injury that caused him to miss one game and limited him in others. That kind of wear shows up in the final totals. Monangai, a seventh-round rookie out of Rutgers, needed time early in the year to earn a bigger role inside Ben Johnson’s scheme. Rookies rarely walk in and dominate right away, especially when the playbook demands as much as Johnson’s does.

Those hurdles showed up in the data. Yet the duo still delivered when it mattered most. Monangai flashed big-play ability in spots, including a 176-yard outburst against the Bengals that turned heads league-wide. Swift’s veteran presence kept the run game steady even when the rookie was still finding his footing.

The receiving side remains the clearest area for growth. Both backs can expand their impact in the passing game, and Moton noted the same gap for the Rams pair. In a league that values three-down versatility, that detail kept the argument close.

Swift and Johnson See No Drop-Off Coming in 2026

The good news for Chicago? The core pieces return with more experience and continuity. Swift sounded confident when he addressed the media recently about the partnership.

“There’s no drop-off at all,” Swift said. “He’s able to do everything. I’m able to do everything. It’s tough on defenses when I make something happen, his number gets called, he makes something happen, like what are you going to do? Especially with the O-line we have and how those guys are coached and the way Ben’s system is, it’s a lot for a defense to account for four quarters.”

That last part matters. Johnson’s offense turns the offensive line and the backs into a four-headed monster that stresses every level of a defense. Swift and Monangai both fit that mold. One creates explosives, the other finishes runs or keeps drives alive on third down. Defenses that load the box to stop one back leave themselves exposed to the other.

Head coach Ben Johnson addressed the offensive line turnover directly. Two new starters arrive up front, but Johnson pointed out the Bears dealt with similar changes last year at this time. The run game took a minute to click then too. Johnson credited the offensive line coaching staff for smoothing those transitions and noted the group’s collective experience.

New running backs coach Eric Studesville adds another steady voice. The longtime NFL assistant returned to Chicago in February and brings decades of experience developing backs who can handle every down. That institutional knowledge should help Monangai take another step and keep Swift fresh.

Why This Duo Has a Real Shot at No. 1 in 2026

The 2025 season proved the foundation is already there. Swift’s burst and vision pair naturally with Monangai’s compact power and balance. Both backs showed they can handle volume without the offense missing a beat. The scheme rewards versatile runners who force defenses to defend the entire field.

Last year’s late surge offered a glimpse of what’s possible with full chemistry. When Swift found a crease, Monangai stayed ready to hammer the next series. The rookie’s confidence grew with every carry, and the veteran embraced sharing the workload instead of protecting touches.

Monangai’s path adds another layer. A seventh-round pick who dominated at Rutgers, he arrived with something to prove. By midseason he was gashing defenses and giving Bears fans a new name to chant. That kind of rise creates buy-in in the locker room and on the practice field.

For 2026, the pieces line up for a bigger year. The offensive line will gel faster with another offseason together. Studesville’s presence should sharpen the details in pass protection and route running. Swift and Monangai already understand what each other brings. Defenses will have even less room to breathe.

The Bleacher Report ranking gave the duo respect. It also left just enough fuel for the group to chase the top spot next time around. Swift and Monangai are not finished climbing.