The Chicago Bears’ new coaching staff is leaning into that very status as they form their impressions of and plans for players on the roster. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, for example, is coming off an up-and-down second season with the Bears in 2024.
A poster child for the Bears’ season-defining loss to the Washington Commanders, Stevenson has made an impact playing an emotionally inspired brand of football.
That bit Stevenson in 2024, but the Bears’ new coaching staff under Ben Johnson is not worried.
Bears Giving Tyrique Stevenson ‘Clean Slate’
Bears DC Cites Experience With CBs Like Tyrique Stevenson
“I’ve had my experience coaching some emotional players, right? And so, look, at the end of the day, sometimes, that’s what makes them the players that they are,” Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen told Clocker Sports on Thursday. So you want to – look, I want our players to play to their personality. And I want them to play a tough, violent, aggressive brand of football.”
“We’re going to live on the edge. We’re going to play on the edge, okay? But we can’t ever hurt the team, and we just got to understand where that line is.”
Allen spent the last three seasons as the New Orleans Saints’ head coach, and he was their defensive coordinator for seven years before that. In that time, Allen worked most notably with former Saints corner Marshon Lattimore and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who are also no strangers to the fray on the field.
Allen and Co. helped the already-talented Lattimore reach his Pro Bowl potential (four times), and he was the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Allen’s Bears will establish their culture this offseason, potentially beginning in voluntary minicamp starting April 21.
New Coaching, Different Results for Tyrique Stevenson?
Stevenson, who turns 25 in May, was the No. 56 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. He is a playmaker, logging 6 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and one return touchdown with 164 combined tackles through his first two seasons in the NFL.
He was not even the most penalized player on a team that struggled with committing fouls at inopportune moments during games under the previous coaching regime.
His most egregious came while celebrating with a fan against the Commanders.
However, Stevenson is a repeat offender of losing composure, costing his team significantly and even losing playing time to teammate Terell Smith as a result.
None of that matters to new defensive backs coach Al Harris.
“Whatever happened last year, happened last year. Clean slate from here on out,” Harris told Clocker Sports on April 17. “I wasn’t coaching [with the Bears in 2024], so I can’t judge him off anything he was doing. All I can judge him by is what he’s doing now.”
Al Harris Defines Coaching Philosophy
Harris joined the Bears after a stint coaching a talented Dallas Cowboys secondary, whose makeup is similar to what he steps into with the Bears. He spoke about his approach to coaching after a 14-year career as a player that included two Pro Bowls.
“My whole thing is respect,” Harris told Clocker Sports on Thursday. “I always tell the guys, I never do or say anything that I wouldn’t have done or said to me. Always shoot them between your eyes and shoot them straight, and just live by those principles.”
As for joining the Bears after playing seven years with the rival Green Bay Packers (2003-09)?
“I’m here, man. The Bears is paying the bills,” Harris said with a smile. “I am here and I’m all in. I’m super thankful and super excited to work with Ben and DA. So, yeah, I’m all in.”