Monangai Week 3 start or sit: Sit him against Philly
Sit Monangai in most season-long fantasy lineups for Week 3. The Chicago Bears backup faces the Eagles on Monday Night Football with Case Keenum under center after Caleb Williams' hamstring injury, and DraftKings Network labels him an easy fade behind D'Andre Swift's larger snap share.
Key Takeaways
- Monangai is Swift's backup, averaging 12.0 touches on 38.3% of snaps through two games.
- Williams' hamstring injury leaves 38-year-old Case Keenum starting against Philadelphia's front seven.
- Swift has taken all three Bears running-back rushes inside the five-yard line so far.
- Season-long managers should fade Monangai; DraftKings Showdown only sees him as a cheap FLEX.
Fantasy managers hunting Week 3 answers on Bizarre World will find the Monangai debate shaped by role, quarterback change, and a tough Monday night matchup. The sophomore remains talented, but the situation around him has darkened since Chicago's 59-37 opener.
Should you start Monangai against the Eagles?
According to DraftKings Network, Monangai is clearly Swift's backup. He has played 38.3% of Bears offensive snaps through two games, while Swift has been on the field for 62.4%.
Monangai has averaged exactly 12.0 touches across Weeks 1 and 2; Swift has averaged 20.0. Swift also received all three of Chicago's running-back rushes inside the five-yard line and recently signed a $33 million extension. That goal-line gap matters for touchdown upside.
Bleacher Nation lists Monangai's anytime touchdown odds at +185 for Monday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. He has one rushing score in two games — a Week 1 touchdown at Carolina — and sits at 147 rushing yards on 20 carries (7.4 yards per carry) plus four catches for 35 yards.
How did Monangai look in Week 2?
NBC Sports reported that Monangai rushed 10 times for 47 yards in Chicago's Week 2 loss to the Vikings and added two receptions for 11 yards. He led the Bears in rushing on a rainy day at Soldier Field after the offense was held to three points.
Swift lost a fumble at the one-yard line, which NBC's Patrick Daugherty suggested could push coach Ben Johnson to give Monangai more short-yardage work. Even so, Daugherty still framed him as a safe, low-upside RB3/FLEX before the Eagles game.
Does Keenum's start help Monangai's fantasy case?
Williams is out with a hamstring injury, and Keenum — a 38-year-old who has started only four games since the end of 2019 — takes over. DraftKings Network notes Keenum's 2023 Texans stint produced 2.0 adjusted net yards per pass attempt with three interceptions and one touchdown across two contests.
A heavy check-down script could bump PPR volume for Chicago backs, but the outlet argues Keenum's presence does not project well for anyone, especially a committee backup. Philadelphia has allowed 127.0 opponent rushing yards per game, yet its front seven ranks among the league's best, and Chicago's team scoring prop sits at 18.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Strip away draft capital and name recognition, and Week 3 looks bleak for Monangai in season-long formats. DraftKings Network calls him an easy fade, while noting his $5,600 Showdown salary — $4,000 cheaper than Swift — makes him only a speculative FLEX at that price.