The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a hyped 2026 season, where they’re looking to build off their impressive first season under head coach Ben Johnson, which included an NFC North title and a wild-card playoff win. While they found success in 2025, it’s a brand new slate for this Bears team following an offseason of change, including the departures of key veterans and the additions of new veterans and exciting rookies.
The work begins in training camp, where Johnson will put his team through the wringer with the intent to prepare them for the 2026 season. Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2026 season. We’ll recap their 2025 season, look ahead to 2026 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.
Up next at No. 21 is cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, the incumbent starter at outside corner, but a player who will need a strong season to warrant an extension.
Background
Position: Cornerback
Age: 26
Experience: 4th season
2026 cap hit: $4 million
2025 recap
No player had a bigger target on his back heading into the 2025 season than Stevenson, who was still looking to rebound from his disastrous 2024 campaign that featured the botched Hail Mary play and a benching. Stevenson had a fresh start with a new staff and was the most important defensive back for the first quarter of the season. With injuries sidelining Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, Stevenson stepped up. From Weeks 1 through 4, Stevenson totaled 19 tackles (one for loss), five passes defensed, one interception, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. Some say his forced fumble against the Dallas Cowboys was the spark that turned the season around. As the year went on, though, Stevenson dealt with his own injuries and would eventually see less playing time with the return of Johnson and the emergence of Nahshon Wright. Stevenson finished the year with his best opposing passer rating of his career (86.3) in 13 games.
Importance in 2026
Going into training camp, Stevenson is still the expected starter at outside cornerback opposite Johnson. The Bears didn’t re-sign Wright, and while they drafted Malik Muhammad out of Texas in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, it’s possible he projects as a slot corner instead of a boundary corner. It seems the Bears still have enough confidence in Stevenson, and getting another season in Dennis Allen’s system while working with Al Harris will be extremely beneficial. If Johnson returns to his Pro Bowl self, then Stevenson will surely see the majority of targets and will need to be ready for an extensive workload.
Big question: Will this be Stevenson’s final year with the Bears?
The Bears like Stevenson enough to keep him as a starter for the 2026 season. But this very well could be his last one as a Bear. Stevenson is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will be looking to land a big deal in free agency. In three seasons, Stevenson has experienced ups and downs but is a serviceable corner in the league. That’s not exactly what the Bears were hoping for when they traded up to select him three years ago, though. He will need a strong season to warrant an extension. Otherwise, he will be looking for a job elsewhere in 2027.
30 Most Important Bears of 2026
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 30 Most Important Bears of 2026: Tyrique Stevenson (No. 21)
Reporting by Brendan Sugrue and Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brendan Sugrue and Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
