Should the Bears bench Tyrique Stevenson in Week 9?

In professional sports, rules don’t always apply the same way to every player. Superstars often get superstar treatment. Whether it’s from the officials on the field or the coaches inside the building, rules tend to be bent a lot more for headliners. But when it comes to Chicago Bears second-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, his inexcusable behavior at the end of Week 8’s loss to the Washington Commanders, combined with his rash of penalties and not-yet superstar status, allows Bears coach Matt Eberflus to send a very strong message about the character of his locker room on Sunday.

In case you’ve been under a rock this week, Stevenson botched his responsibilities on the Hail Mary pass that gave the Commanders a last-second victory in a game the Bears were oh-so-close to calling a signature win for Caleb Williams. And it’s not that Stevenson lost the rep, he nearly ignored it. He focused more on taunting Commanders fans than locking in during the game’s most crucial moment.

Check it out:

Wow.

Tyrique Stevenson seen taunting the crowd while the Hail Mary play was getting snapped.

Ultimately led to a touchdown that bounced off his hand.

Cant make this stuff up. #Bears

pic.twitter.com/1WklfpswtF

— Sky Kruse (@KruseSports_) October 28, 2024

I get more annoyed every time I watch that clip. Remember: Stevenson’s primary job on that play was to be the guy who covered Noah Brown, the Commanders’ receiver who caught the ball. Instead, Stevenson tipped the pass UP and INTO Brown’s hands!

Eberflus must address Stevenson’s selfish and immature behavior. I get that some Bears fans want to shift blame to Eberflus and suggest he should’ve called a timeout, or sent more pressure to force Jayden Daniels into a more difficult throw, or that the play before the Hail Mary wasn’t defended properly. Sure, all that is true, but the game was still winnable. If Stevenson simply did his job — one that isn’t overly complicated — the Bears would be 5-2. Instead, they’re 4-3, and the blood, sweat, and tears that Tyrique Stevenson’s teammates sacrificed during those four quarters were all for naught.

So, what’s the strongest message Eberflus can send to his team and Stevenson? Legendary Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight said it best:

“The greatest motivator in the world is your ass on the bench.”

Stevenson’s ass should be on the bench Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. And it should be there until Jaylon Jones or Terrell Smith proves to be a liability. As long as one or both of them are playing well, Stevenson should be out of the lineup. Period.

To Chicago and teammates my apologies for lack of awareness and focus …. The game ain’t over until zeros hit the clock. Can’t take anything for granted. Notes taken, improvement will happen. #Beardown

— Tyrique Stevenson (@dreamchaserTy10) October 28, 2024

I get that Stevenson has been a good player for the Chicago Bears since his arrival as a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. But my lord, enough is enough. The dude needs to grow up before he can be trusted in a big moment. And, perhaps, being put in timeout for a while will help that maturation process along.

Tyrique Stevenson has appeared in six games for the Bears this year and has the defense’s worst individual Pro Football Focus grade (52.1) and the worst coverage grade (51.9). He’s been flagged four times in 2024, bringing his total to 11 penalties through less than one and a half seasons. He’s made some big plays in big spots for Chicago this season, but his overall body of work has been at a replaceable level, and when your career’s defining moment is teaching tape for what not to do? It’s time to take a seat on that cold, lonely bench.

Look, Eberflus has no choice. If he doesn’t “punish” Stevenson for his actions, he’ll lose all his credibility in the locker room. Players will tune him out, they won’t fear the consequences of bad behavior because if Stevenson starts on Sunday, Eberflus will establish a precedent that states consequences don’t exist. Do as you wish, players. Do as you wish.

And that’s when a team spirals out of control.