Bears Dealing With Even More Tyrique Steveson Drama on Sunday
By Jovan Alford
Chicago Bears second-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was in hot water last week after he failed his coverage assignment against the Washington Commanders.
Stevenson was supposed to follow Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown, who ultimately scored the game-winning touchdown on the hail mary attempt. Instead, the young cornerback was seen on video taunting fans as the play was underway.
The day after the crushing loss to Washington, Stevenson took accountability for his behavior and reportedly apologized to his teammates. After he apologized, things got better for the young defensive back on the surface.
However, during the week, it was reported that it would not be a surprise if Stevenson doesn’t start against the Arizona Cardinals. As one could imagine, Stevenson didn’t take that news well.
According to FOX Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer, the young defensive back pulled himself out of practice Wednesday after learning he was being demoted. Glazer also mentioned that it didn’t go over great inside the locker room.
Bears DB Tyrique Stevenson, the player seen talking to fans right before the Commanders' Hail Mary TD last week, pulled himself out of practice after learning of his demotion for his role in the game-losing play. @JayGlazer explains: pic.twitter.com/FEUA2tZ4tM
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 3, 2024
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, who covers the Bears, confirmed Glazer’s report. Cronin said on Sunday that the Bears coaches and execs arrived at their decision on Tuesday and relayed it to Stevenson before Wednesday’s practice.
Just spoke with a Bears source and can provide context on @JayGlazer's report about Tyrique Stevenson leaving practice Wednesday upon finding out he would not start vs. Arizona.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) November 3, 2024
Bears coaches/execs arrived at the decision to not start Stevenson on Tuesday and relayed that to the…
The 24-year-old defensive back left practice after the stretching period, but he returned minutes later and was out for the team periods during the walk-through.
Cronin also mentioned Stevenson’s teammates expressed their frustrations about how things played out in Washington, but there wasn’t anything confrontational due to him leaving practice.
The good news for Stevenson is it's not a permanent benching and the plan for today’s game against the Cardinals is to rotate him in. The Bears and their fans hope this is the last thing they must worry about with Stevenson.
He’s one of the Bears’ best cornerbacks and they will need him in Sunday’s game as they haven’t won a game on the road yet.
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