NFL legend Tom Brady recently handed out his LFG Awards for Fox Sports, and there was no shortage of Chicago Bears representatives. The seven-time Super Bowl champion recognized some of the most noteworthy players, coaches and moments from the 2025 NFL season.
One of the players that caught his attention is Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai. Chicago picked Monangai in the seventh round, making him the 233rd overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Monangai was a vital addition to the Bears. He ended his NFL debut campaign with 783 rushing yards on 4.6 yards per carry and five touchdowns. The 23-year-old built his football resume as a member of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Chicago Bears rookie Kyle Monangai draws high praise from NFL legend Tom Brady
Monangai was not Brady’s pick for the LFG Offensive Rookie of the Year. That honor went to Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
The Panthers did not err in making McMillan the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Although Brady did not cover many Panthers games, he still chose the former Arizona Wildcats WR as his LFG Awards Offensive Rookie of the Year.
“What I saw from him was a dynamic ability to get open, catch the ball down the field, explosive plays and ball possession plays,” Brady said of McMillan.
The seven-time NFL champion added, “He really rose to the occasion. There were some questions coming out of the draft. But I think he showed to everyone what he’s all about with a monster year.”
McMillan ranked in the top 15 in receiving yards (1,014) and receiving touchdowns (seven), topping all the other rookies in his class.
While Brady chose McMillan, the 48-year-old had to give special attention to Monangai.
“I covered a lot of Bears games and watched this offense perform, and Kyle Monangai as a seventh-round pick, I kept saying sixth-round pick on the air … he ran so hard, so forceful and determined,” Brady said.
The three-time MVP added that Monangai “was like a dynamo back there. Every time Caleb [Williams] handed the ball off to him, he was running through people’s facemasks. I love that style of play. You had a tremendous year, Kyle.”
Brady did not have an official runner-up for the LFG Offensive Rookie of the Year award, but if he did, Monangai would clearly be the runaway winner.
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