The first 36 games of Tyrique Stevenson’s NFL career have been a roller coaster — and that’s putting it lightly.
A second-round pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft, Stevenson started 16 games as a rookie cornerback and recorded four interceptions for a budding Bears defense under then first-year head coach Matt Eberflus. Expectations naturally rose heading into 2024. With a year of experience under his belt and firmly established as the starting corner opposite Jaylon Johnson, Chicago believed it had two premium defensive backs to anchor a new era of Bears defense.
Stevenson reinforced that belief in Week 1 with a pick-six in a gritty win over the Tennessee Titans. But by Halloween, his career felt like it was coming unglued.
Stevenson made headlines for all the wrong reasons when he taunted Washington Commanders fans on national television—only to get beat moments later on a Hail Mary as the Bears defense collapsed because he was out of position. That loss sparked a 10-game losing streak. Chicago was one play away from starting 5–2, but instead stumbled into the New Year at 4–12.
Bears fans turned on Stevenson fast. His confidence was clearly rattled, and his performance spiraled.
Quarterbacks targeted him relentlessly, posting near-perfect QB ratings when throwing his way. Instead of flashing improvement late like he did as a rookie, Stevenson regressed. The penalties piled up again — especially on third downs — and what once looked like physical corner swagger suddenly looked more like desperation.
He was no longer viewed as a young building block. He had a new label: liability.
Stevenson’s Bounce Back in 2025
Entering the 2025 season, Tyrique Stevenson was no longer penciled in as an automatic starter. There was real conversation about whether he even deserved to be on the field as the Ben Johnson era began. Jaylon Johnson was locked in as CB1, but CB2 was suddenly a competition, not a coronation.
Training camp reports didn’t call him “the guy” anymore. They called him “in the mix.”
Ultimately, Stevenson started Week 1 — and with Jaylon Johnson sidelined by injury, the Bears needed him to step up in Year 3. So far? He has.
Through four games, Stevenson has an interception, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and five passes defended. Against Dallas in Week 2, he allowed just nine receiving yards. That’s not “serviceable cornerback” play. That’s impact football.
So what changed?
Playing “Inspired Football”
According to veteran safety Kevin Byard — an established leader in Chicago’s locker room — Stevenson’s turnaround is about maturity.
Byard appeared on The Stretch, a Chicago sports podcast from Barstool Sports, and spoke honestly about Stevenson’s shift in mindset. Stevenson became a father during the offseason, and Byard said that changed everything.
“Going from last year to now, I think it’s just a maturity thing for sure,” Byard said. “He’s talked about taking accountability for his actions last year in Washington as we go back there, but he had a son this offseason… When you have a child, it matures you in a way you don’t really understand until it happens.”
“I think he's been able to slow down and appreciate life a little bit more and obviously appreciate this position he’s in,” Byard continued. “At the end of the day, you’re a starting corner in this league. You have an opportunity to set your son up for the rest of his life. I think he's been playing inspired football.”
That word — inspired — feels right.
Stevenson’s own words line up perfectly with Byard’s praise.
Reflecting on that disastrous moment in Washington, Stevenson didn’t dodge it. He sat with it.
“It was harsh. It hurt my feelings,” Stevenson admitted to Bears media this week. “That’s the best way I can explain it. It just hurt my feelings being a football player and having one of those mistakes that's going to linger around. Even when my son grows up, I've got to explain that to him.”
There it is. Perspective. Accountability. That’s what Byard was talking about — a change that starts off the field but shows up when the helmet goes on.
Chicago Needs This Version of Tyrique Stevenson
Tyrique Stevenson has quietly become one of the most important storylines of the Bears’ 2025 season. With Jaylon Johnson sidelined long-term, a struggling pass rush, and run defense issues already piling up, the margin for error on the back end is thinner than ever.
If Stevenson holds — if this new, matured, inspired version of him remains — Chicago has a shot to surprise people this season and keep stacking wins.
If he cracks again? The Bears defense will get picked apart all year.