Tyrique Stevenson Credits Surprise Name With His Rapid Development
While Tyson Bagent was the biggest surprise of the Chicago Bears’ 2023 preseason, Tyrique Stevenson was the biggest star. While most people knew the 2nd round pick out of Miami had talent, they didn’t expect him to excel this quickly. He was a presence in training camp almost from the beginning and carried that over into the preseason, where he made tackles for loss and grabbed a highlight-reel interception. Stevenson probably should’ve also had two more picks, but they went through his hands. Regardless, it was compelling evidence the Bears may have found themselves a future stud.
There are multiple reasons why this has happened so quickly. Stevenson has been fortunate to have two outstanding defensive back specialists, Alan Williams and Jon Hoke, guiding his development. Both have been around the league for many years and helped oversee the rise of several future stars. Another is somewhat more unexpected. Adam Jahns of The Athletic revealed that much of Stevenson’s education has come at the hands of new Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore, who has regularly abused the rookie in practice.
Yet rather than get frustrated about it, Stevenson saw it as a learning opportunity.
Early in Chicago Bears training camp, rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was on the receiving end of everything the Bears’ best receiver had to offer.
In one-on-one drills, DJ Moore beat him.
In seven-on-sevens, DJ Moore beat him.
In team drills, DJ Moore beat him.
“You know what? Good for him,” defensive coordinator Alan Williams told The Athletic early in camp. “That’s what he’s going to see each week. DJ is a No. 1 receiver.”
There wasn’t a singular “Welcome to the NFL” moment for Stevenson but a full range of NFL-caliber experiences.
“Honestly, there’s no bad in it,” Stevenson said then. “I feel like it’s always good. After every route or whenever I catch DJ, I kind of ask him some questions like, ‘What are you looking for?’ … It’s a good thing to have some vets to go against to be able to take some notes. Because at the end of day, it’s a team sport.”
Tyrique Stevenson already has one crucial trait.
Great cornerbacks tend to have one thing in common. They have a short memory. The best ones are able to completely forget about getting beat on the previous play and act like it never happened on the next. Stevenson seems to have that same mentality. Rather than stew over the fact that Moore kept beating him, he chose to forget that and focus on what he could’ve done better. The wide receiver always obliged him with tips on what to look for. It appears the rookie put that education to good use, becoming a pest for every receiver he faced in the preseason.
More such moments are to come. Tyrique Stevenson will face some of the best the NFL has to offer, including Mike Evans, Terry McLaurin, Justin Jefferson, Davante Adams, Keenan Allen, and Amari Cooper. If he can’t learn to hang with those guys, then he won’t have a long career in this league. The Bears think that won’t be an issue. He is, to date, the only player GM Ryan Poles has ever traded up for. There isn’t a much more ringing endorsement than that. Getting to practice against Moore every day will only continue benefitting him as well.