The Chicago Bears made sweeping changes after the end of the 2024 campaign and were deemed the winners of the offseason for a second straight year. With an entirely new coaching staff and revamped key positions, the Bears are hoping to take a big step forward and get back to the playoffs in 2025.
However, Chicago's work isn't done yet. The NFL Draft is less than a week away, and with four picks in the first two days of the draft, the Bears have an excellent opportunity to land true difference-makers in the draft. At the same time, Chicago only has seven total draft picks, making it hard for them to take fliers on lower-end prospects.
One way for the Bears to add more draft picks and bring in younger talent on cheaper contracts is via trades. Chicago could consider trading a few players with trade value to add more draft picks to select players that fit head coach Ben Johnson and new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's system.
Tyrique Stevenson Could Be a Surprise Bears Trade Candidate
One of those players is recent second-round pick Tyrique Stevenson. Some fans and analysts have raised concerns about whether Stevenson is a good fit under Allen's defensive scheme. Allen prefers big corners who thrive in man coverage. With Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon locked into their roles on the secondary, the team could elect to make a change in Stevenson's spot to find a better-fitting corner.
Stevenson has been solid since arriving in Chicago in 2023, but he hasn't been a difference-maker who should be considered untouchable in trade talks. He has received 60.2 and 58.9 defensive grades on Pro Football Focus in his two seasons with the Bears.
Since Stevenson was a second-round pick and has performed fine so far, he should have solid trade value. The Bears could find a replacement for Stevenson in the draft while also adding more draft capital by moving the 24-year-old defender to a CB-needy team. A mid-round pick for Stevenson should be enough for the Bears to move on.