With the looming returns of injured Chicago Bears cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson could be the odd man out of the Windy City.
On Tuesday, Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen discussed the team's defensive back rotation, with Johnson (groin) and Gordon (calf) close to returning after prolonged absences. Both were listed as full participants during the team's Tuesday walkthrough.
Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowler (2023-24), has been limited to one game — a Week 2 loss to the Detroit Lions — while Gordon has suited up twice and not since Week 7. Both veterans' presences have been missed, and their pending return would provide the Bears' secondary with a massive boost right before the NFL playoffs begin.
With the two starting corners sidelined, Nahshon Wright has taken advantage of increased playing time, something his coaches have noticed. Although Johnson's role is likely safe, Stevenson might not be in the same boat.
Nahshon Wright's Continued Breakout Could Come at Tyrique Stevenson's Expense
On Monday, Johnson made it extremely clear to reporters that he intends to keep Wright on the field, even when Stevenson (and Johnson) is back.
"I think he has certainly earned play time," Johnson said, per The Chicago Tribune's Sean Hammond, with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen also saying that "everyone's going to have a role" (h/t @CHGO_Bears).
While Johnson's intentions are good, his plans might be easier said than done. Chicago won't often need four cornerbacks on the field, which will force Allen to decide who plays against 11 personnel or sets with three wide receivers. Johnson is the team's top outside corner option, while Gordon has taken the reins as lead slot corner.
With Allen deciding between Stevenson and Wright for the other outside corner role, the choice could be fairly simple. Per Pro Football Focus, on 307 coverage snaps Stevenson has allowed 34 receptions for 558 yards (16.4 yards per catch) and one touchdown. In fact, the yards he allows per reception are the most among CBs who've played at least 10 games this season.
Wright, meanwhile, has allowed 35 receptions on 59 targets for 446 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions. He's only giving up 12.7 yards per catch while his coverage grade (61.5) is noticeably better than Stevenson's (54.3).
The Bears play the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday in a game with significant playoff implications. The potential return of both Johnson and Gordon will be huge for the Bears to pull off one of the biggest victories in recent franchise history, but Chicago must also settle the rest of its depth to give it the best opportunity to win. If that means keeping Wright in the spotlight, so be it.
Based on how Wright has performed this year, that's likely bad news for Stevenson, who could be the odd man out as early as this week.