Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is not looking in the rearview mirror, and he's not taking on the challenge of the 2025 season by himself.
Stevenson made headlines for the wrong reasons last season due to his role in the Bears' Week 8 Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders on a Hail Mary, where he was also taunting fans in the crowd right before the play began. In response to his end-of-game antics, the Bears previous coaching staff suspended Stevenson for the start of their Week 9 game against the Arizona Cardinals, and from there on out, he was under a microscope the rest of the season.
Now, Stevenson gets a fresh start with a new coaching staff led by head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
Last month, Stevenson was asked about that fresh start and, without putting too much time into reflecting on the past, he said he was ready to go hunting with his new teammates and is excited for the opportunity.
"Still with some of the guys from that team last year, we want to be the best defense in this league," Stevenson said. "This defense wants to be the best defense this year. I wouldn't say a fresh start, I would just say some of the guys come out with the same mentality. We add some pieces in, some dogs. It's time to hunt."
Johnson made it clear that all starting jobs and roster spots will be earned this summer, so Stevenson's job opposite Jaylon Johnson is far from guaranteed. Chicago drafted cornerback Zah Frazier in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft, and while he may not immediately challenge Stevenson for his starting spot, the third-year player will have a point to prove this year to his new coaches.
It's a good look for Stevenson that he's not looking back on a disappointing season for himself and the Bears defense as a whole. While having self-awareness is key, erasing the past and putting all his attention on the upcoming season could bode well for the talented cornerback.
With Allen and new defensive backs coach Al Harris leading the defensive coaching staff, Stevenson has an opportunity to not only erase the memory of a bad season, but take his game to new heights in the 2025 season.
