The Chicago Bears lost in Washington to a last-second Hail Mary. While that alone was bad enough, growing evidence shows the team sabotaged itself thanks to the actions of one man. Tyrique Stevenson struggled most of the game but helped the defense corral the Commanders for only 12 points. Chicago took the lead 15-12 with 25 seconds left. On the final play, Stevenson was spotted looking away from the action at the sideline, jawing with fans. He continued this after the snap.
By the time he turned around, Jayden Daniels was setting up to throw. Stevenson’s job was to shadow wide receiver Noah Brown. His trash-talking allowed Brown to sneak into the back of the end zone, where nobody covered him. When the ball was deflected into the air, Brown was right there to make the catch. It was an inexplicable moment of immaturity and stupidity that cost Chicago the game.
Tyrique Stevenson has no excuses for this.
Head coach Matt Eberflus says the Bears have practiced that exact play 100 times this year. He seemed perplexed at what happened. Now we know. The entire plan broke down because Tyrique Stevenson was too busy getting into it with fans to remember the game wasn’t over. Players must be held accountable for blunders like that. Stevenson is a good player, but he is not above the team. That play cost the team a crucial game in the NFC wild card standings. If the Bears and Commanders end up in a tie now, Washington will be in because of that play. This is the sort of moment that should get somebody benched. Chicago has a quality reserve in Terrell Smith. Eberflus can and should send a message to Stevenson that such actions will never, ever be tolerated.
What would be the point of that? The guy is a good player, with a lot of passion (why he was taunting, probably) and will undoubtedly ramp up his effort to make amends. The Bears lost a game they could have, maybe should have won – so let’s get better, rather than dole out recriminations.
UNFORGIVEABLE! Simply unforgivable! After the Bears were able to scratch their way back into this game, they simply threw it away! Without the discipline to finish this match up with Washington, Tyrique Stevenson blew it!
It’s taught in JFL you bat the ball to the ground, not only does this clown run his mouth but tips the ball to the receiver. Geez
This play was not defensed properly on multiple fronts. Where was Montez on this play? Where was the pressure? Who was supposed to stay behind the scrum? Why did Stevenson tip the ball up instead of down? This is not a basketball tip-off. It’s almost like they have not practiced this scenario at all. 100% on the coaching staff.
Shocking that Lambert doesn’t mention in any of his immediate reactions that Caleb played like absolute garbage…. really I’m sooooo surprised