Week 1 exposed Chicago's ground game struggles: D'Andre Swift managed 17 carries for 53 yards, while Caleb Williams ran for 58 more as the team’s leading ground threat. Ben Johnson signaled changes on Wednesday, stressing more runs and a wider look at who gets carries. Week 2 against Detroit looms as a fork in the road for the Bears’ backfield, with Kyle Monangai expected to get a longer leash.

Monangai, a Rutgers workhorse with 669 carries for 3,222 yards in college, flashed in the preseason and produced a minimal Week 1 touch. If he sparks early in Detroit, Johnson won’t hesitate to ride the hot hand and possibly reduce Swift’s workload, reshaping fantasy projections in a backfield that suddenly looks more volatile but also more dynamic.

Fantasy managers should monitor early-down snaps and red-zone opportunities as the Bears pivot. A Monangai spark could juice the ceiling for both backs, while a slow start might leave Swift as the primary option with Monangai carving a concrete niche. Week 2 will reveal the plan and the shifting fantasy landscape.