​(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images Superstars may lead the discussion when it comes to success in the NFL, but more often than not, it’s the guys you barely know who will make the plays needed when they’re needed. Such players can be underrated for all kinds of reasons. Perhaps they’re playing in a smaller market, and the media isn’t appropriately trumpeting their exploits. Maybe they’re hidden in a depth chart behind bigger names who may not be doing as much. Or, it’s always possible that a wayward coach hasn’t quite figured out that one guy needs elevation to bring better results to the team. Whatever the reason, we at SB Nation always like to bring the underrated names to you with the offseason Hidden Gems and in-season Secret Superstars series. And with that in mind, here are our NFC Secret Superstars for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season. And if you haven’t yet, download the new SB Nation app, so you can better read and comment on our stuff wherever you are!Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago BearsChicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has never received the credit he deserves for designing one of the best and most diverse run games in the NFL. This was the case when David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs were running wild with Johnson as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator in 2022 through 2024, and it’s the case now. Everybody wants to talk about Caleb Williams’ explosive passing plays and overall development, and that’s understood, but Johnson is right up there with Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay and whoever else as a run game genius, and that was never more apparent than in Chicago’s 59-37 demolition of the Carolina Panthers’ defense in Week 1.Not only did the Bears set a franchise record for the most points ever in a season opener — pretty impressive when your franchise has been around in one form or another since 1920 — but they also participated in the highest-scoring Week 1 game in pro football history. Yes, Williams was impressive through the air, completing 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 124.1.All well and good, but it was the Bears’ run game that gave the Panthers fits, with 39 carries for 291 yards (7.5 yards per carry), and SIX rushing touchdowns. D’Andre Swift was the main man with 18 carries for 129 yards and three scores, but in terms of explosiveness, it was second-year man Kyle Monangai who really set the tone. He gained 100 yards on 10 carries, and averaged an amazing 8.4 yards after contact. Most of that came on his 61-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter, but you could see it all over the tape. Ben Johnson’s run concepts might be the most impressive thing I’ve observed from Week 1. Here’s Kyle Monangai averaging 10.0 yards, and 8.4 yards after contact, per carry against a Panthers defense that had no idea what to do about it. pic.twitter.com/xGwXtorXGR— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) September 14, 2026The wa