The Bears are teeming with young talent – who do you think is going to take a big step forward this season?
It feels like we have been saying it for a few seasons now, but the Chicago Bears as a whole seem primed to break through. Enough of these underwhelming to outright bad results – the Bears should challenge for a playoff spot this upcoming season.
In 2024, players like Gervon Dexter, Kyler Gordon, and Darnell Wright broke through in various degrees last season to establish themselves as valuable pieces. However, the lack of development by the coaching staff was apparent as many players showed little improvement and, in some instances, regression.
This time last year, I planted my flag on the Bears’ breakout players being Gervon Dexter (good!) and Nate Davis (could not have been a worse choice!). So these types of predictions are an imperfect science and anything I say should be taken with a heaping grain of salt.
With that said, which Bears player do you think will break out in 2025?
My choice? Tyrique Stevenson.
I know, I know, I know. Stevenson’s 2024 was marred by inconsistent play and the boneheaded moment against the Commanders last season that was a major contributor in unraveling the Bears’ season.
But Stevenson is still very young and very talented.
Two seasons into his Bears career, Stevenson is still just 24 years old. In 32 games, he has 6 INTs, 3 FFs, 28 passes defended, 116 tackles, and 2 TFLs. For a player as villainized as Stevenson – that’s not too shabby.
However, the game is not played on a stat sheet, and Stevenson’s play during a game is mercurial. With Jaylon Johnson on the opposite side, Stevenson has been picked on early in his career. According to PFF, Stevenson had a coverage target rate of 20.75% in 2023, good for 4th most in the league. In 2024, that number dropped to 17.31% which was still highest on the Bears. His biggest issue so far has been how he frequently gives up large plays, as evidenced by his 13 TDs and 1,493 yards allowed in two seasons.
Now that I have gotten the acknowledgement of inconsistent play out of the way – let’s talk about why I think he is primed for a breakout.
Al Harris.
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Harris was brought in as the new DBs coach this offseason after spending four years in Dallas as the Defensive Backs coach and assistant head coach in 2024.
Harris, who was a successful CB in his own right in the NFL has already been viewed by many as a huge hire for the Bears. He got a lot out of the duo of Daron Bland and Trevon Diggs.
Diggs and Bland are both larger CBs like Harris was, clocking in at 6’2” and 6’0” respectively. Stevenson fits that mold of being a longer, more physically imposing cornerback.
In Diggs’ second season under Harris, he had an incredible 11 INTs, playing a highly aggressive style, earning him a 1st Team All-Pro nod. Similarly, in Bland’s second season under Harris’ tutelage, he recorded 9 INTs and 5 TDs, earning a 1st Team All-Pro selection.
I see Stevenson as having a similar aggressive mindset and large body type to these two, giving me confidence in his ability to excel under Harris’ coaching.
Now it’s your turn! Which Bears player do you think will breakout in 2025? Sound off in the comments!