A key player in the Bears’ secondary will not be starting in the upcoming matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, as cornerback Tyrique Stevenson has been benched following his role in the team’s shocking last-second defeat to Washington in Week 8.
Stevenson had been a starter in all seven games this season, participating in 97 percent of available snaps. However, he faced criticism after a video showed him celebrating in front of the Washington crowd just before Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels launched a breathtaking 52-yard Hail Mary pass. Stevenson was late to react to the play and appeared to deflect Daniels’ throw, which landed in the hands of Noah Brown, leading to the Commanders’ surprising 18-15 victory.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Stevenson’s demotion, noting that the Bears’ decision is aimed at encouraging self-reflection and improvement for the young player. After the game, Stevenson posted an apology on social media and reportedly expressed remorse to his teammates the next day.
“I know I let them down, and those guys hold me to a higher standard, just like everyone in this building,” Stevenson told reporters on Monday. “…I let the moment get too big, and it’s something that can never happen again.”
However, the pregame show on FOX Sports revealed a more complicated situation. Insider Jay Glazer mentioned that Stevenson chose to leave practice on Wednesday after learning of the coaching staff’s decision, an action that “didn’t sit well” in the locker room. Despite losing his starting role, Stevenson is still expected to play in the game, rotating with fellow cornerback Terell Smith.
Stevenson’s NFL future has always seemed bright; he was ranked the No. 20 overall prospect in the 2019 high school class by 247Sports and initially signed with powerhouse Georgia. After two seasons with the Bulldogs, he transferred to Miami, where he had a standout junior year with 43 tackles and an interception.
The Bears drafted Stevenson with the 56th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, securing him a starting position during training camp. He made an impressive impact during his rookie season with four interceptions. In his second season in Chicago, he recorded four tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception in the Bears’ season opener against Tennessee, contributing to one of the NFL’s top scoring defenses this year.
