Chicago Bears breakout player projection is not who fans might think
There will be no shortage of players with the potential to breakout for the Chicago Bears during the 2024 NFL season.
The arrival of Caleb Williams has many fans expecting big things from not only the rookie quarterback but also rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze along with veterans DJ Moore and Keenan Allen.
When talking about Bears' players who are expected to have a breakout season, the first inclination is to think they will be offensive players, considering the moves that were made on that side of the ball this offseason.
However, it was a defensive player that Pro Football Focus circled when identifying the breakout candidate for the Bears.
"CHICAGO BEARS: CB TYRIQUE STEVENSON
- Pro Football Focus
Stevenson had a good Year 1 as the Bears’ CB2, coming down with four interceptions and 13 pass breakups but allowing a 100.4 passer rating when targeted. Another good sign: his four highest-graded games came in Week 11 or later. With star Jaylon Johnson solidified next to him and a secondary bolstered with Kevin Byard, Stevenson should shoulder larger responsibilities for a revamped Bears team with lofty goals."
Prior to the Bears signing Jaylon Johnson to a four-year contract extension in March, there was a sense that Tyrique Stevenson's emergence during the second half of 2023 may be one of the reasons why the team would have been comfortable letting the franchise tag situation play out for Johnson.
Instead, the Bears' secondary has the potential to be the unit that carries the defense for multiple seasons moving forward. Johnson, Stevenson, and safety Jaquan Brisker are all locked beyond the 2024 season, and this is also the case for Kyler Gordon.
In the event that the Bears do not add a pass rusher to pair with Montez Sweat, Stevenson taking another step forward will be needed for the defense to pick up where they left off from the 2023 season.
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