Bears Should Start Terrell Smith Over Struggling Tyrique Stevenson

The Chicago Bears are at a crossroads as their disappointing season winds down, leading to discussions about benching second-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. With three games left, analysts suggest starting fifth-round pick Terrell Smith instead, following Smith’s impressive play in limited opportunities. Stevenson, a second-round selection, has struggled this season, displaying inconsistent performance and decision-making, while Smith has posted better stats and showed potential as the future CB2.

By the Numbers

• Tyrique Stevenson has a coverage grade of 57.4; Terrell Smith has a grade of 72.9.
• Stevenson has allowed four touchdowns in coverage, while Smith has yet to allow a score.
• Smith has played 27% of defensive snaps this season, compared to 50% last season.

Yes, But

Despite the push for change, some may argue that Stevenson, as a high draft pick, deserves more time to develop and learn from his mistakes, given the investment made in him. Additionally, changing starters could disrupt team chemistry as they seek to finish strong this season.

State of Play

• The Bears’ defense has struggled, allowing big plays and suffering recent losses, including a 38-13 defeat to the 49ers.
• Stevenson has faced criticism for both on-field performance and disciplinary issues throughout the season.

What’s Next

If Terrell Smith is given a full-time starting position, it may showcase his potential and signal a shift in the Bears’ strategy toward evaluating younger talent as they aim for future improvement.

Bottom Line

As the Bears look to the future, prioritizing player development may necessitate starting Terrell Smith over Tyrique Stevenson, who has not performed up to expectations. This decision could provide insights into the team’s potential defensive lineup going forward.