Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson had a disappointing 2025 season, and now he faces an ultimate make-or-break year in his fourth NFL season.
Tyrique Stevenson is entering his fourth NFL season, and the Chicago Bears’ cornerback will be entering the biggest year of his career.
The former second-round draft pick from the University of Miami was limited to just 13 regular-season games and recorded just one interception as he lost playing time to veteran cornerback Nahshon Wright.
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). The 6-foot, 204-pound cornerback also allowed a 4.2% explosive pass play rate -- ranking 73rd among 75 qualified cornerbacks.
With this upcoming season being the final year of his rookie contract and there being an opening at the cornerback position after Wight’s departure in free agency, Stevenson will either have an opportunity to secure a second contract in Chicago or fail to maximize on this chance.
The veteran cornerback posted a story on his Instagram with a message for the upcoming season.
"This s*** here about to be dangerous," Stevenson said. "I'm telling you. I'm coming back for everything. The last two years, I put that on me. This year, this s*** for my son. I promise you. I promise you."
Stevenson can capitalize on that promise if he can win and keep the starting outside cornerback spot opposite of Jaylon Johnson. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes to have his outside cornerbacks play press man coverage and that should translate to Stevenson's strengths.
The 25-year-old cornerback could earn himself a big pay day, depending on how the 2026 season goes. Stevenson is scheduled to make $3.6 million in base salary this year. Wright made the most of his opportunity last season and signed a one-year, $3.5 million contact with the New York Jets in free agency. In Allen's defense, Stevenson can put himself in a similar situation.
General manager Ryan Poles moved up in the 2023 NFL Draft to select Stevenson with the 56th overall pick. Clearly, Poles and the rest of his staff felt strongly about the cornerback, but instead of being known as an impactful playmaker, Stevenson is best known for his infamous incident in the final seconds against the Washington Commanders in 2024.
But this is also the same player who did secure six interceptions in his first two seasons and made some impactful players with limited snaps in 2025. Stevenson must prove he can still become that type of playmaker.
If Stevenson can't do that and struggles early in the season, the Bears have former fifth-round draft picks Terell Smith and Zah Frazier who will both be fighting for that outside cornerback spot. Poles could also draft another corner, and this coaching staff won't hesitate to replace Stevenson.
Of course, Stevenson also could miss out on millions of life-changing guaranteed money if he plays poorly.
Stevenson said in his social media post that he is "coming back for everything." He has everything to gain and potentially lose this upcoming season.