After a disastrous ending to their Week 8 loss, the Bears have made a temporary change in the secondary. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson will work as a backup on Sunday, as detailed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Stevenson’s actions before the Commanders’ game-winning Hail Mary last week – along with his mishandling of his assignment on the play itself – have been a major talking point over the past several days. How the team would react was a key storyline during the week, and ESPN’s Courtney Cronin notes discussion took place between Chicago’s veteran players and coaches to decide on a course of action (video link). In the end, the Bears elected to demote Stevenson on a one-week basis.

The second-year cover man started all 16 of his appearances as a rookie, proving to be a key figure on one of the league’s best secondaries. Stevenson’s 2024 defensive snap share stood at 97% entering Sunday, so his absence from the starting lineup will be notable (especially with slot corner Kyler Gordon unavailable due to injury). Terell Smith got the start ahead of Stevenson to begin Chicago’s contest against Arizona.

The Bears informed Stevenson of their decision to demote him during practice this week, as first reported by Jay Glazer of Fox Sports (video link). The 24-year-old reacted by departing practice, although Cronin clarifies Stevenson returned shortly thereafter. He will operate on a rotational basis defensively while also potentially chipping in on special teams before returning to first-team duties next week.

Stevenson entered the league with high expectations as a second-rounder and he delivered on them with four interceptions and 16 pass deflections during his rookie campaign. The Miami product notched one pick along with six pass breakups through his first six contests this season, one in which his play in coverage along with discipline-related matters have remained a talking point. That will no doubt continue to be the case in the wake of his demotion, although team and player will hope to avoid a repeat of any situations similar to that of last week.

Darnell Wright is positioned to enter Week 1 as Chicago’s right tackle starter. Given that he was drafted 10th overall, that is not exactly a surprise. But the Bears’ No. 56 overall pick is also on track to open the year as a first-stringer.

Chicago’s third draft choice this year, Tyrique Stevenson will have a clear onramp to begin his career with the 1s. The Miami product spent the offseason program working as a first-team option on the outside, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com notes, adding he is primed to begin the season as a boundary starter opposite Jaylon Johnson.

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The Bears’ Ryan Poles–Matt Eberflus regime has devoted significant draft resources to the cornerback spot, having now taken Stevenson and Kyler Gordon in consecutive second rounds. Gordon began his career as a starter and remained in that role for each of the 14 games he played during his rookie season. Gordon operated as both an outside and slot defender last season, but the Bears are planning to slide last year’s No. 39 overall pick to a full-time slot role. This will clear a path for Stevenson.

ESPN’s Scouts Inc. viewed Stevenson as a quality value choice for the Bears at 56, having slotted the 6-foot cover man as this year’s No. 41-ranked prospect. A high-end recruit who transferred from Georgia, Stevenson spent his final two college seasons with the Hurricanes. He earned third-team All-ACC acclaim last season, playing primarily on the outside.

Stevenson following through on this path will give the Bears three first- or second-year starters in their secondary. Johnson, who is going into a contract year, and safety Eddie Jackson represent the veteran wing of the team’s DB crew. Chicago’s plan to go with a Johnson-Stevenson-Gordon trio at corner will relegate Kindle Vildor, a 2020 fifth-round pick who has started 21 games over the past two seasons, to a reserve role. Pro Football Focus viewed Vildor as making progress in 2022, tabbing him just outside the top 75 at the position. The 25-year-old corner will represent experienced depth for a Bears team that does not have a second-contract presence at this spot. The team also used a fifth-round pick on a corner, bringing in Minnesota’s Terell Smith.

The Bears ranked last in scoring defense and in defensive DVOA last season, opening the door for new personnel to commandeer roles. Stevenson stands to join free agent linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards as high-profile new starters on defense.