The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2023 NFL season, which features plenty of new and returning faces within the organization. There are a number of players, coaches and front office members that are crucial to the team’s success this season.
Every day from now until the start of training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2023 season. We’ll recap their 2022 season, look ahead to 2023 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.
Up next at No. 22 is cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who’s expected to serve as a starter in his rookie season.
Background
Position: Cornerback
Age: 23
Experience: 1st season
2023 cap hit: $1.17 million
2022 recap
Stevenson emerged as a key starter for the Hurricanes in 2021, but he suffered a torn labrum that November which required surgery. Still, Stevenson proved to be a valuable asset for Miami last season while recovering from his labrum injury. Stevenson started all 11 games, where he totaled 25 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, nine pass breakups and was named to the Third Team All-ACC. He was particularly strong in coverage, where he earned a 79.5 coverage grade, a 42% completion rate and forced eight incompletions, per Pro Football Focus.
2023 outlook
The Bears had a glaring need at the third cornerback spot, which they addressed in trading up in the second round to land a tough and physical corner in Stevenson. Stevenson is one of several rookies who is expected to serve as an immediate contributor in 2023. With Kyler Gordon slated to play exclusively in the slot, Stevenson should start opposite Jaylon Johnson on the boundary. Stevenson will be thrown into the fire quickly, much like Gordon last season, as teams will likely target the rookie and steer clear of Johnson. There will be bumps along the way, but Stevenson has the opportunity to prove himself as a long-term answer at cornerback as early as his rookie season.
Big question: Will Stevenson get the start opposite Jaylon Johnson?
Stevenson is expected to contribute immediately as a rookie, and he’s the presumed starter opposite Jaylon Johnson, with Kyler Gordon playing in the slot, heading into the 2023 season. Stevenson had a strong offseason, where he was one of the surprise standouts with his physical play and how quickly he caught on as a rookie. Matt Eberflus expects Stevenson to step things up even more once the pads come on in training camp, where he’ll have to beat out veterans Kindle Vildor and Jaylon Jones for the job. That’s where Stevenson will most likely establish himself as the clear-cut starter opposite Johnson for the Bears.
30 Most Important Bears of 2023
We’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears of 2023. Check back every day leading up to the start of training camp.
| 30. K Cairo Santos | 29. FB Khari Blasingame | 28. TE Robert Tonyan |
| 27. DE Dominique Robinson | 26. LB Jack Sanborn | 25. DT Zacch Pickens |
| 24. RB Roschon Johnson | 23. DT Andrew Billings | 22. CB Tyrique Stevenson |
| 21. COMING 7/5 | 20. COMING 7/6 | 19. COMING 7/7 |
| 18. COMING 7/8 | 17. COMING 7/9 | 16. COMING 7/10 |
| 15. COMING 7/11 | 14. COMING 7/12 | 13. COMING 7/13 |
| 12. COMING 7/14 | 11. COMING 7/15 | 10. COMING 7/16 |
| 9. COMING 7/17 | 8. COMING 7/18 | 7. COMING 7/19 |
| 6. COMING 7/20 | 5. COMING 7/21 | 4. COMING 7/22 |
| 3. COMING 7/23 | 2. COMING 7/24 | 1. COMING 7/25 |
