Tyrique Stevenson is the next Bears player on the list to be named to ESPNs list of players with something to lose. The presence of rookie Malik Muhammad is immediately relevant, as it poses a great risk for Stevenson. With Muhammad being brought in to seemingly take Stevenson's job for the future, it can be a difficult game to play.
Stevenson has all the talent in the world, and in three seasons with the Bears, he's collected over 150 solo tackles, over 200 total tackles, and seven interceptions. Stevenson's presence has been a steady one over the past few seasons, and his name is one that most Bears fans would immediately recognize. But has it been enough to keep his starting job?
Competition appears to have changed everything
Since the Bears drafted Stevenson back in the second round of the 2023 Draft, Stevenson has boasted a mainstay spot on the starting roster. But that was before Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen were brought in to lead the team. Stevenson was obviously retained under them, but now the situation has shifted, and the stakes have certainly been raised for Stevenson.
Stevenson is on the final year of his rookie contract with the Bears. Right now is usually the time that a team is rushing to sign their players to big extensions before they get on the field for the year. With Stevenson on the verge of free agency, it's telling that nobody has been talking extension a bout him.
Malik Muhammad was drafted in the fourth round to add depth to a deprived defense, but the argument that he's Stevenson's replacement must be made. If the Bears make it through training camp and they haven't reached some sort of extension with Stevenson, the writing may be on the wall.
Muhammad is a fourth round selection out of Texas that has immediately impressed the Bears coaches. I suppose that's what you get when Dennis Allen hand selected the pick. That makes it an even worse omen for Stevenson.
Tyrique Stevenson has all the physical tools to remain a starting cornerback in Chicago, but talent alone won't keep him there. With a new coaching staff, legitimate competition behind him, and free agency looming, this training camp could determine whether he's part of the Bears' long-term plans or looking for a new home next offseason.
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