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.