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Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is among several rookies poised to serve significant roles in their first season.
Stevenson worked his way up the depth chart this offseason and concluded mandatory minicamp working with the first-time defense, and the expectation is he’ll get the start for Chicago.
With second-year cornerback Kyler Gordon slated to play exclusively in the slot, Stevenson will focus on the outside, where he’s expected to start opposite Jaylon Johnson. Stevenson has impressed this offseason, but Eberflus believes he’ll be even better once the pads go on in training camp.
“We love where he is in terms of his length, his competitiveness and we know he tackles,” Eberflus said. “We know he likes to hit. That’s why he’s here. Corners need to tackle. They need to really be a physical force out there and he’s gonna do that. And we’re excited about that, getting the pads on. So I think he’ll take even a step up more when we get the pads on. We get to see him used to those pads.”
Stevenson will compete with Kindle Vildor and Jaylon Jones this summer for the starting job opposite Johnson, but it certainly sounds like Stevenson has made a strong impression already. Once the pads come on and he can show off his physical play, he’s expected to solidify himself as a Day 1 starter.
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