LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Before the season began, Jon Hoke, the Chicago Bears’ defensive passing game coordinator/cornerbacks coach, reviewed everything that cornerback Tyrique Stevenson did in training camp last year as a rookie and then went through some in-season practices.
After that, Hoke turned his attention to this year’s camp. He looked at everything Stevenson did in every practice in his second camp.
“He was having a rough go in training camp with DJ (Moore) and everybody a year ago, and now he’s improved,” Hoke said in a recent conversation. “It’s not like that (this year). He’s more consistent with what he does. He’s gotten better technically. And he’s also gotten a lot of growth mentally as far as what to do and how to do it the right way.”
Some of Stevenson’s development revealed itself in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans. His pick-six of quarterback Will Levis’ errant toss earned him NFC defensive player of the week honors. It was the first interception he has returned for a score at any level of football.
“I’ve been on the receiving end of one,” Stevenson said. “I’ve done kick return, punt return, everything except pick-six. So I’m definitely grateful for the experience. I still don’t feel like it’s for real.”
.@dreamchaserTy10 JUST DID THAT 🫡
📺: #TENvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/oW5IzEYZbR
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 8, 2024
Of course, Stevenson saved the football. It would have made for a popular vignette on “Hard Knocks” if the show was still following the Bears.
Stevenson didn’t have a recurring role in the popular show. Instead, it featured safety Jonathan Owens, running back Ian Wheeler and receiver-turned-back Velus Jones Jr.
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Stevenson had no matchups with mercurial receiver Chase Claypool in this year’s camp to be discussed. He didn’t make headlines for his trash-talking prowess again.
Instead, he quietly went to work and became someone the Bears believe will be another difference-maker in a defense that should rank among the league’s best this season.
“He’s very competitive and he’s a very physical corner,” coach Matt Eberflus said. “He loves to compete. And you can see that (in) how fiery he is on the field. He welcomes that. It gives him joy to be able to go out there and compete. You can see that every day. I like the way he tackles. I like the way he hits. I like the way he plays. And that’s why he’s here. He’s a guy that loves football.”
As the Bears defense emerged as a top-10 unit in various measurements over the second half of last season, the coaching staff challenged Stevenson, the No. 56 pick in the 2023 draft. He rotated with Terell Smith, the 165th pick.
“(It was to) get him going a little bit for sure because he was having some rough patches early,” Hoke said. “It kind of gives him a break a little bit, and Smitty’s growth was where he deserved that opportunity as well. So it was a little bit of both. Let him take a breath and get his feet back underneath him. And then we had to start Smitty for some games because of Jaylon (Johnson’s) injury and Smitty responded the right way.”
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Stevenson responded positively, too. He made game-changing plays last season, including earning NFC defensive player of the week honors in Week 17 for making two interceptions in a blowout win against the Atlanta Falcons.
On Sunday, Stevenson played every defensive snap but one against the Titans. Smith was on the field for the first defensive play before being promptly replaced by Stevenson, who then never left the field. Stevenson, who was on the opening kickoff, missed that snap because of an issue with his pads.
Playing opposite Jaylon Johnson means Stevenson will get plenty of opportunities to make plays until he plays more consistently like, well, Jaylon Johnson. Stevenson is getting there. In the second quarter on Sunday, he was in coverage when tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo beat him for a leaping catch on a corner route in the end zone.
OkonkWOAH @ChigTweets
📺: Watch #TENvsCHI on @NFLonFOX stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/JwfqQLvZRE
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 8, 2024
“I was upset because it was a play I’ve made 10 out of 10 with my eyes closed,” Stevenson said. “So it was next-play mentality. And the guys didn’t let me come over to the sideline and put my head down, either. It was more of a defensive thing. You’ve got guys telling me, ‘Pick your head up.’ So I had a short memory, but I was still upset because I knew I could make that play and then I had guys and leaders of this team pick me up and make sure that I finished the game out strong.”
Stevenson makes it sound as if he wants the ball thrown his way, too.
As Eberflus said, he loves the competition.
“I ain’t no weak link just because there’s an All-Pro corner over there,” Stevenson said. “You can just up and throw it over here as you feel like it.”
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It’s on Stevenson to turn those into pass breakups and interceptions. If he does, more accolades will come his way. This type of defense has room for two Pro Bowl cornerbacks. Hoke knows that better than most. He coached the Bears’ secondary in 2012 when Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings earned that distinction under former coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. Tillman was an All-Pro, too.
Hoke will continue to watch Stevenson closely.
“With Tyrique, it’s always a critical eye to make sure we’re always getting the right thing and always doing the right thing,” Hoke said. “He knows that.”
(Photo: Quinn Harris / Getty Images)
