Former Player Calls Notable Chicago Bears Name A Future Superstar
The Chicago Bears know the key to their success moving forward is developing the young talent they’ve drafted. They’ve done a good job of that so far. Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker are excellent additions to the secondary. Braxton Jones is a solid starting left tackle. Darnell Wright had a promising rookie year. Gervon Dexter finished last season with 2.5 sacks in his final five games. There is a lot to be excited about. Yet none of them are the ones getting the most love from former edge rusher Sam Acho.
He spent almost a decade in the NFL, including four seasons with the Bears from 2015 to 2018. Unsurprisingly, he’s kept an eye on the organization as he transitioned to media analysis for ESPN. Acho appeared on NFL Live to discuss the Bears’ roster situation. The conversation centered around their inability to find a definitive #2 pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat. He believes the Bears felt it wasn’t a priority for two reasons. One was the need to build around new quarterback Caleb Williams. The other was the clear strength of their young secondary.
While Jaylon Johnson might be the main guy for them right now, Acho warned that Tyrique Stevenson will enter that conversation shortly.
The Chicago Bears went after Stevenson for a reason.
He was the first player GM Ryan Poles ever traded up for in a draft. That out-of-character moment suggested the Bears felt the Miami cornerback had tons of upside. He certainly had the size, speed, and tenacity needed for the NFL. What they had to find out was whether he had the discipline and ball skills to match them. After a rough start to the 2023 season in which he was picked on a lot, Stevenson blossomed with four interceptions, tying for the team lead with Johnson. The last Bears rookie cornerback to reach such a milestone was Kyle Fuller.
Everybody remembers how that turned out.
The Chicago Bears have to love how things are shaping up. Stevenson, Johnson, Brisker, and Gordon make up an excellent foursome in the secondary. That is before you get to former All-Pro Kevin Byard at safety and Terell Smith, who might be one of the better backup corners in the league. Since opposing teams may not wish to attack Johnson much for obvious reasons, that means Stevenson will see plenty of action. Given what happened last season, that may not end how they hope. If he’s cleaned up some of his sloppy tendencies from last year, Acho may be proven correct.