Tyrique Stevenson likely woke up Monday morning feeling the weight of his costly mistake in the Chicago Bears’ recent game against the Washington Commanders. In a heartbreaking final play, Stevenson played a part in allowing a game-winning Hail Mary pass, leading to the Bears’ 30-24 loss. As the play unfolded, the 24-year-old cornerback was seen taunting Commanders fans in the crowd instead of focusing on the play.
When Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels launched the Hail Mary, Stevenson failed to bat the ball down, and it ultimately deflected into the hands of wide receiver Noah Brown, who caught it in the end zone for the win.
In the aftermath, Stevenson issued an apology to his teammates and fans, writing on social media, “To Chicago and teammates, my apologies for lack of awareness and focus… The game ain’t over until zeros hit the clock. Can’t take anything for granted. Notes taken, improvement will happen.”
Footage from before the game has since surfaced, revealing that Stevenson had been engaging with Commanders fans throughout the matchup, including a moment when he was seen making a bet with a fan before kickoff at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. His confidence in the Bears’ chances on Sunday only added to the sting of the loss.
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Many NFL fans have called for the Bears to release Stevenson following the incident, but it appears the team plans to address the situation internally.
Team captain D.J. Moore commented on the matter, saying, “I didn’t see it happening during the play. I’ve seen it just like everybody else has [on social media].”
He added that team leaders were considering addressing Stevenson’s behavior in front of the team, emphasizing the importance of accountability. “I saw that he put something out that he was sorry, but we’ve still got to address it as a leadership group in front of the team.”
The loss dropped the Bears to a 4-3 record, while the Commanders improved to 6-2. With fans and teammates now closely watching his every move, Stevenson will need to show considerable growth in focus and professionalism if he hopes to remain with the team.
One more slip-up could put his NFL career at serious risk, making him one of the league’s most scrutinized players in the coming weeks.
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