Despite the struggles of the defense in 2024, the one bright spot to the unit that carries into 2025 is their secondary.
Jaylon Johnson is the star of the unit, with Kevin Byard and Kyler Gordon holding their well. Jaquan Brisker can't be forgotten as he returns from his injury and could be in for a big 2025 campaign.
Pro Football Focus writer John Kosko ranked the best secondaries in the NFL, with the Bears scoring a high rank of seventh. The unit could be ranked higher if it weren't for one player who could be holding them back: Tyrique Stevenson.
"The Bears boast a mix of seasoned veterans and young stars in what has become a very solid secondary. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson has been one of the NFL’s best over the past two seasons, while safety Kevin Byard—though past his prime—continues to play at a high level. Kyler Gordon excels in the slot, but the one weak spot remains Tyrique Stevenson, who famously struggled to defend a Hail Mary against the Commanders."
Is Stevenson a liability for the Bears?
Nothing can ever help Stevenson get past the way he acted during the Hail Mary play against Washington, as that will follow him around for the rest of his career. Despite that, is he as much of a weak point as Kosko says he is?
His 2024 statistics show some regression, as he decreased in tackles, pass deflections, and interceptions compared to 2023. He wasn't as targeted as much in 2024 as he was in 2023, but Stevenson was able to allow a completion percentage of 56.5% and a passer rating of 87.5.
The PFF grades in 2024 tell a whole different story. Stevenson scored a 58.9 overall grade, ranking 134th out of 222 cornerbacks. He was also 92nd in run defense grade with 63.7 and 133rd in coverage grade with 58.4.
How much latency will Stevenson have in 2025 before the Bears have to start making tough decisions? There's a reason Chicago selected rookie fifth-round pick Zah Frazier in the 2025 NFL Draft. If things don't work out for Stevenson in the long haul, Frazier could use 2025 to develop before taking a bigger role in 2026.
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Stevenson has two more years on his contract, but he might not complete it if he continues to regress at the current rate. In a strong secondary in Chicago, all eyes will be on him to step up and elevate this unit to elite, as many think they can be.