With the Chicago Bears resting their starters for their preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, there were plenty of opportunities for players like rookie running back Kyle Monangai.
A seventh-round selection by Chicago, Monangai adds depth to the running back position and was the first one on the field during Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. Finishing the day as the team’s leading rusher, with 30 yards on six carries, Monangai knows he has an opportunity to make a statement when it comes to the depth chart throughout this preseason.
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Following Sunday’s tie with Miami, Monangai spoke about his desire to put good effort on tape as the team has an open competition for the backup running back spot behind veteran D’Andre Swift.
“It felt good to just play football again, be out there in front of fans,” Monangai said, via Bears on CHSN. “The way I can play, the way I run the ball, between tackles, outside, do everything a running back has to do. Do things without the ball in imy hands, block, catch the ball out of the backfield, I had a chance to do some of those things. But I also didn’t get a chance to do some of those things either. Just at a glance, I have to clean up some stuff, get better, I’m going to watch the film, learn from it, and get better next week.”
Monangai made the most of his opportunity in his first NFL action, and the competition at the running back position has certainly increased going into next week’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears rookie Kyle Monangai sounds off on his first NFL game