GM Ryan Poles has a steady track record in the draft. He has only traded up twice across three years. One was the jump back into the 2024 draft for Austin Booker. The other was his first. It was a move up in the 2nd round of the 2023 draft for Miami cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. Experts were mixed on him at the time. Many loved his size and natural athleticism, while others feared his lack of discipline in coverage. Some even thought he might move to safety. The Chicago Bears didn’t see it that way. They envisioned a playmaking cornerback perfect for Matt Eberflus’ scheme.
Things didn’t start well last year. Opposing quarterbacks picked on Stevenson for weeks, exposing him in coverage at several points. However, the rookie didn’t fold under the pressure. He kept working, kept learning. All of a sudden, things turned around. He snagged four interceptions down the stretch, tying Jaylon Johnson for the team lead. It was the first indication the team may have found a stud. Two practices into this year’s training camp, Stevenson announced his intent for bigger and better things with a crazy interception of Caleb Williams during drills.
There is one thing the Bears know going into 2024. Johnson will be on one side of the field. Quarterbacks have learned targeting him is a bad idea. That leaves them with two options. Either they go after Kyler Gordon or Stevenson. More targets mean more interception opportunities. This is a strategy teams have employed for years. If you have one great cover corner, the smart thing to do is put somebody on the opposite side who can snag interceptions. The New York Jets did that when pairing Antonio Cromartie with Darrelle Revis. Jacksonville did it with A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey. Dallas is doing it with DaRond Bland and Trevon Diggs.
Chicago knew what they had with Johnson. The key was finding somebody who could make offenses pay for targeting him too often. Tyrique Stevenson is that guy. He will give up the occasional big play. However, his aggressive style will also lead to game-changing moments. Eberflus wants guys focused on turnovers. Few in that secondary embody this mentality more than Stevenson. He’s like a more athletic version of Nathan Vasher, and that should have people excited.
