The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class.
Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We’ll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.
At No. 26 is cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who was at the heart of one of the most heartbreaking losses last season and is hoping for a fresh start with a new coaching staff.
Background
Position: Cornerback
Age: 25
Experience: 3rd season
2025 cap hit: $1.76 million
2024 recap
Hopes were high for Stevenson heading into his second season. He showed vast improvement in the latter half of his rookie year and was poised for a breakout season in 2024. Things started out great for him, too. In Week 1, Stevenson picked off quarterback Will Levis and took it to the house late in the fourth quarter to give the Bears a come-from-behind victory over the Tennessee Titans. Those good times didn’t last long, however.
In Week 8 against the Washington Commanders, Stevenson made one of the biggest blunders you will see on the football field when he taunted the opposing fans on the final play of the game—a desperation Hail Mary from Jayden Daniels. Stevenson was out of position, came back to the action, and tipped the ball right to Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown for the game-winning score.
It was arguably the worst regular season loss the Bears have ever endured, and Stevenson became a pariah overnight. The game was a turning point for both him and the team. Chicago wound up losing 10 games in a row, and Stevenson’s play began to go downhill. He was benched the week after and started losing snaps to Terell Smith. Though his opposing passer rating improved from 93.7 in 2023 to 87.5 in 2024, Stevenson wasn’t the same after the Commanders game. He finished the year with 78 total tackles, one for a loss, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.
2025 outlook
Many returning Bears players were happy to wipe the slate clean with a new coaching staff this offseason, but Stevenson has to be among the most excited. He gets a fresh start with a defensive staff that should be ideal for his skillset. New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes to have defensive backs play man coverage, which should suit Stevenson. His new position coach, Al Harris, will also play an instrumental role in his continued development. During his time with the Dallas Cowboys, Harris helped cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland earn All-Pro seasons. He’s one of the best position coaches, and Stevenson will only benefit from his tutelage. Stevenson will need to earn his playing time, however.
Big question: Can Stevenson redeem himself in Chicago?
Stevenson’s status going into the 2025 season is one of the biggest questions surrounding the Bears. He never was able to fully bounce back from his mental gaffe, and there isn’t a certainty that he will be the starting cornerback opposite Jaylon Johnson. Smith showed flashes as Stevenson’s replacement last year, and the Bears selected Zah Frazier, a lengthy cornerback, in the fifth round of the draft. We can expect competition at the position, even if the job is Stevenson’s to lose at this point.
As far as his play is concerned, we have seen multiple Bears players have their tenures defined by one poor play or performance. Cody Parkey is synonymous with the double doink, while Chris Conte is remembered for the fourth-down touchdown allowed to Randall Cobb. Stevenson is more talented than either of those players and has the chance to start a new chapter. It’s entirely possible his lapse in judgment becomes a footnote in an otherwise successful career. It’s also possible he never reaches his potential in Chicago and gets supplanted by someone else. Stevenson will be a player to watch during training camp and the preseason.
30 Most Important Bears of 2025
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Tyrique Stevenson (No. 26)
Reporting by Brendan Sugrue and Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
