Bears scrapbook — Rookie sensations

The Bears 2025 rookie class came in with all sorts of potential because the first three picks were offensive players chosen specifically for Ben Johnson's offense — tight end Colston Loveland (1-10), wide receiver Luther Burden (2-39) and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (2-56).

That plan worked well for the Lions in 2023, when two rookies made a big impact — first-round running back Jahmyr Gibbs (182-945, 5.2 yards per carry, 10 touchdowns) and second-round tight end Sam LaPorta (86-889, 10.3 yards per reception, 10 touchdowns).

After a slow start, the Bears' rookie class has made a bigger impact in the second half of the season, even as the offense has leveled off with quarterback Caleb Williams dogged by inaccuracy and inconsistency. Loveland has 35 receptions for 435 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winning 58-yard touchdown pass against the Bengals. Burden has 30 receptions for 395 yards and one touchdown, but the eye test is revealing — he looks like he's ready for a breakout play and breakout game in Johnson's offense at any moment.

Trapilo was a short-term disappointment — failing to win the starting left tackle competition with Braxton Jones and Kiran Amegadjie and moving to right tackle behind Darnell Wright at the beginning of the season. But he has started the last three games at left tackle and held his own, though Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who leads the NFL with 20 sacks in 13 games, figures to provide a much clearer picture Sunday of where Trapilo stands.

So far, the revelation of this year's rookie class is seventh-round running back Kyle Monangai, who was tagged as a potential surprised from the moment he was drafted and has realized that potential. Monangai is the Bears' second-leading rusher behind D'Andre Swift with 135 carries for 648 yards (49.8 yards per game, 4.8 yards per carry) and five touchdowns. But he's all but Swift's equal at this point. Monangai had 42 carries for 186 yards (26.6 yards per game, 4.4 yards per carry) and one touchdown in his first seven games, has 93 carries for 462 yards (77.0 yards per game, 5.0 yards per carry) and four touchdowns in his last six games.

Overall, the Bears' rookies have been sufficiently productive, but with potential for a big finish in 2025 and certainly bigger expectations for 2026, because of the Ben Johnson Effect.

This week's Bears Scrapbook takes a look at the best rookies in Bears history:

---