Does Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson have another level to unlock in 2024?

The Chicago Bears defense received a major boost from rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson last season. Stevenson was outstanding, having established himself as an every-down starter from the get-go (he played 100% of snaps in Week 1). The No. 57 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft will now be challenged to be even better as a sophomore in 2024.

Stevenson was a complete workhorse for the Bears in 2023. He was Matt Eberflus’ most-snapped cornerback, having been on the field for a position-leading 829 plays according to Pro Football Reference. Stevenson played a role in nearly 80% of all Bears defensive snaps during his rookie campaign.

Predictably, the results were somewhat mixed, albeit mostly positive. Stevenson struggled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, having been credited with allowing 143 receiving yards en route to a lackluster 36.2 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. Stevenson didn’t allow 100-plus receiving yards again until the Week 18 regular-season finale with the Green Bay Packers. He arguably played his best game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17, allowing 28 yards while earning an elite coverage grade of 91.3.

Most PBU+INT for a rookie CB since 2016:
1. Marshon Lattimore (18)
2. Tyrique Stevenson (17)
2. Tre’ White (17)
2. Adoree Jackson (17)
5. Sauce Gardner (16)
5. Tariq Woolen (16)
7. Trevon Diggs (15)

Film Breakdown: https://t.co/kAw3OQp1c0 pic.twitter.com/h3FVEr7jVc

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) January 10, 2024

Stevenson also allowed five or less receiving yards in three appearances. Against the pass-happy Detroit Lions in Week 11, Stevenson was credited with allowing zero receiving yards despite playing 35 coverage snaps. It was a shutdown performance by the former Miami standout, who was only targeted once by the Lions.

There is no question that Stevenson is a critical starter on the 2024 defense. The only notable development at cornerback this offseason occurred when general manager Ryan Poles signed Jaylon Johnson to a lucrative multi-year extension. That locks in Johnson and Stevenson as the starters for the foreseeable future.

With recent draft picks like Kyler Gordon and Terell Smith also on the roster, Poles doesn’t have to do anything drastic at cornerback anytime soon. Stevenson was one of the best rookie cornerback performers throughout his debut 2023 season. The Bears will now hope that Stevenson is ready to upgrade himself to Pro Bowl and All-Pro status in 2024.