Tyrique Stevenson didn’t play a single snap in the Chicago Bears’ regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions.
In the 19-16 loss, Jaylon Johnson, Nahshon Wright, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson struggled to cover the Lions’ pass catchers. Amon-Ra St. Brown had a game-high 11 receptions for 139 yards, Jameson Williams added six catches for 74 yards, and Kalif Raymond caught three passes for 52 yards.
Despite the struggles from the cornerbacks, Stevenson didn’t see the field. Bears head coach Ben Johnson shared that the team wanted Wright and Johnson to receive the bulk of the snaps. Since Week 12, Stevenson has played just 90 defensive snaps.
What is going on with Tyrique Stevenson's disappearance act?
Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was asked about the former second-round draft pick’s snaps being reduced.
“Well, I think we got Jaylon back, that's part of it, and I think Nahshon Wright's played really well … but, there'll be a plan in place for Tyrique,” Allen said. “We'll see how the game plays out. But I think all those guys have to be ready to play.”
When Allen was further questioned about how Stevenson could earn some playing time, the Bears’ defensive coordinator highlighted that it comes down to opportunities. Allen did say that Stevenson does have the right mindset and anticipates him to prepare “really hard this week.”
It’s impossible to determine what the right opportunity could be for Stevenson to play, but there could be bigger-picture reasons as to why the former starter hasn’t seen the field.
"Well, look, I think when the season started, none of us thought Nahshon Wright was going to play the way that he played,” Allen said. “So I think some of that has to do with Jaylon being out, and then Nahshon Wright playing really well, and so you kind of go with a hot hand a little bit.”
Wright did finish the season with five interceptions, but over the last two games against the 49ers and Lions, the veteran cornerback has given up 10 receptions on 12 targets for 169 yards.
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Wright hasn’t been the “hot hand” as of late, so maybe that opens the door for Stevenson to earn some playing time on Saturday night against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field.