Fueled by the infamous Hail Mary, Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is adding some adjustments to his preparation ahead of his fourth NFL season.
Tyrique Stevenson still uses the Washington Commanders' game-winning Hail Mary in 2024 as motivation.
The Chicago Bears' cornerback was seen jawing with fans on the final play of the game instead of boxing out wide receiver Noah Brown, who ended up securing the game's final points.
That play is a steady reminder of how quickly things can change. Despite the Bears' secondary sustaining several injuries, including Stevenson, the Bears' cornerback took a back seat to veteran Nahshon Wright when Jaylon Johnson was healthy.
“I'm always motivated going into my offseason I will," Stevenson said. "I will be real that the Hail Mary was the top of the top, so I'm always motivated now. But I understand the coach's decision. Everything happens for a reason. I trust these coaches. I trust the guys on his team, and I trust the staff. So, I just wanted to come and just prove myself to myself this year.”
One adjustment Stevenson is adding to his preparation this season is speaking with the Bears' offensive coaches, asking them "'If you had to go at me, what do you see?' And so I just think my attention to detail is just being a little bit more paid attention to, and it's making the coaches happy.”
Stevenson wanted to integrate speaking with the Bears' offensive coaches so he "can get better to help this team and go out out there and perform at a high level."
The veteran cornerback is entering a contract year, and last season wasn't his best performance. According to Pro Football Focus, Stevenson finished 74th out of 75 cornerbacks with at least 345 coverage snaps in yards allowed per coverage snap (1.73). He also allowed a 4.2% explosive pass play rate -- ranking 73rd among 75 corners.
A small detail in his game that he has been working on is coming out of his breaks, avoiding unnecessary steps.
"Receivers are taught that out of the third step, he should be coming out of his break," Stevenson said. "I have to be a better athlete, so it should be like two and a half (steps) or I should be able to match his steps. So, something like small like that to where it could give me a good chance to go pick the ball."
And making plays on the ball is something defensive backs/passing game coordinator Al Harris wants out his defensive backs.
“I would say he builds confidence in attacking the ball," Stevenson said. "As a DB sometimes you don't turn your head around, you just play through the hands and the PBU is good, but with Al, a PBU is nothing, he wants the ball. So, I think him speaking it every day, him giving us goals, we need three every practice, we need three every practice. I think it just builds confidence to, once we know what the route is, go play the route and make sure you come down with the ball.”
If Stevenson can make those types of plays during the regular season, he will earn himself a starting spot in the defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's defense and potentially a payday from the Bears or another team.
But for now, Stevenson is just taking an everyday approach in his fourth season in the NFL.
"The best thing I could do is come out here, be available and be a good teammate, and also go out there and do my job," he said. "Honestly, that's how I'm looking at it."
