The Chicago Bears have gone silent ahead of the NFL draft. They are focused on pro days and 30 visits. Free agency moves have stopped, and there hasn’t been much buzz on the trade market since the Maxx Crosby option died. However, that doesn’t mean Bears general manager Ryan Poles isn’t making and receiving calls, getting a sense of what the market looks like. Trades often happen right before the draft, so it’s possible the Bears might look ot acquire or unload somebody. Enter Tyrique Stevenson.
There is no question that the former 2nd round cornerback is in an awkward spot. After beginning 2025 in the starting lineup, he saw his playing time drastically reduced as Jaylon Johnson, Nahshon Wright, and Kyler Gordon got more snaps. It wasn’t clear why this occurred. There were assumptions about work ethic issues. Stevenson has a reputation for getting too easily distracted. Whatever the case, his status for 2026 feels like limbo, and now the trade rumors are picking up. Bleacher Report was the latest to deliver one.
Chiefs Trade for Tyrique Stevenson to Rebuild Secondary
This offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs lost two of their primary starting cornerbacks from the previous year. They traded All-Pro Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams and allowed Jaylen Watson to walk; he also signed with the Rams.
Because of those key departures, the Chiefs’ cornerback room needs help. Kansas City may be able to land Tyrique Stevenson in a deal with the Chicago Bears.
Stevenson is entering the final year of his rookie deal. So, the Bears could consider trading the talented cover man if they don’t plan to sign him to an extension before he hits free agency in 2027.
The logic of this Tyrique Stevenson trade is obvious.
Kansas City took a considerable hit to its secondary by trading Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles. While they are an organization with a strong track record for drafting cornerbacks, the truth is that it may take time. In the interim, it might be wise to find a veteran who can serve as a reliable stopgap until they can find the next guy. Stevenson fits their type. He’s big, tough, physical, and athletic. The obvious uncertainty is whether the Bears feel they can unload him. Johnson and Gordon suffered injury setbacks last year. Wright left in free agency. Terell Smith is coming off a knee injury. Zah Frazier is completely untested.
This would depend on the Bears’ confidence that they can find help at the position in the event they do trade Tyrique Stevenson. Chicago and Kansas City have already done similar business in the past. Everybody remembers the Joe Thuney trade last year. It wouldn’t be much of a challenge to put together a Stevenson trade. Given his track record and contract status, the Bears would be looking at a day three pick. Most likely a 5th or 6th rounder at most.
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Don’t expect action before the draft.
The hard truth is the Bears are in a position to trade Tyrique Stevenson right now. There are too many variables involved. However, that could change after the draft. If they end up selecting a cornerback in the first three rounds, that will give them the depth and flexibility to unload him. There is no telling where things will go. Planning to draft a position and actually drafting one are two different things. We saw that unfold last year at running back with the board forcing the Bears to wait until the 7th round.
Poles loves drafting cornerbacks. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen puts a premium on that position in his system. The Bears haven’t yet invested a high pick on a player he might covet. All three of their top corners were drafted before Allen arrived, including Stevenson. He may wish to secure players he evaluated himself, which isn’t uncommon for coaches. We already know his thoughts on Stevenson based on the playing time allocation. A trade feels almost inevitable.
