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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 08: Tyrique Stevenson (29) of the Chicago Bears celebrates after scoring on … More an interception during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 8, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Ben Hsu/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Ryan Poles made easy decisions with the Bears’ cornerbacks the last two years. He invested a combined $116 million to extend the contracts of Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon for a total of seven seasons. The next call on a commitment may not be so easy. With Johnson, Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith and Josh Blackwell all under contract through 2026, new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is inheriting a strong group of young corners, none older than 26. But it’s the seemingly stalled development of the 24-year-old Stevenson that could determine if this is a sustainable, winning core. If Stevenson elevates his play this year, he’ll put himself in the same position as Johnson and Gordon when they were signed to deals beyond their rookie contracts. If not, the Bears will likely move on, drafting or signing a replacement. They may use a draft pick this month on a corner, creating more competition for Stevenson beyond Smith, a fifth-round pick from Minnesota who came to the Bears in the same 2023 draft as Stevenson. Smith has started only six games in two seasons but last year was the best pass defender in the group, earning a 76.5 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. Poles has said there will be competition for the starting spot in training. It will be telling if Stevenson doesn’t get a chance for redemption under Allen and new head coach Ben Johnson. Poles was so impressed by what he saw from Stevenson…

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Filed under: News - @ April 15, 2025 7:29 pm