Latest news with #DennisAllen
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson ready to go hunting with new teammates
Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is not looking in the rearview mirror, and he's not taking on the challenge of the 2025 season by himself. Stevenson made headlines for the wrong reasons last season due to his role in the Bears' Week 8 Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders on a Hail Mary, where he was also taunting fans in the crowd right before the play began. In response to his end-of-game antics, the Bears previous coaching staff suspended Stevenson for the start of their Week 9 game against the Arizona Cardinals, and from there on out, he was under a microscope the rest of the season. Advertisement Now, Stevenson gets a fresh start with a new coaching staff led by head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Last month, Stevenson was asked about that fresh start and, without putting too much time into reflecting on the past, he said he was ready to go hunting with his new teammates and is excited for the opportunity. "Still with some of the guys from that team last year, we want to be the best defense in this league," Stevenson said. "This defense wants to be the best defense this year. I wouldn't say a fresh start, I would just say some of the guys come out with the same mentality. We add some pieces in, some dogs. It's time to hunt." Johnson made it clear that all starting jobs and roster spots will be earned this summer, so Stevenson's job opposite Jaylon Johnson is far from guaranteed. Chicago drafted cornerback Zah Frazier in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft, and while he may not immediately challenge Stevenson for his starting spot, the third-year player will have a point to prove this year to his new coaches. Advertisement It's a good look for Stevenson that he's not looking back on a disappointing season for himself and the Bears defense as a whole. While having self-awareness is key, erasing the past and putting all his attention on the upcoming season could bode well for the talented cornerback. With Allen and new defensive backs coach Al Harris leading the defensive coaching staff, Stevenson has an opportunity to not only erase the memory of a bad season, but take his game to new heights in the 2025 season. This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson ready to go hunting with new teammates
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson among rare company as ballhawk
Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons last season after his part in the Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders. But he's also shown plenty of promise as a ballhawk in Chicago's secondary. In two seasons as a starter, Stevenson has totaled six interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown), 28 pass breakups and three forced fumbles opposite Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Advertisement According to Pro Football Focus, Stevenson is one of just six defensive backs who have recorded 20-plus forced incompletions and five-plus interceptions since 2023. He joins Derek Stingley Jr., Riq Woolen, Brian Branch, Darious Williams and Paulson Adebo. Stevenson's Week 1 heroics helped the Bears win their season opener, and he appeared primed for a breakout sophomore season. But Stevenson wasn't the same player after his part in the Hail Mary loss that kickstarted a 10-game losing streak and ended with Matt Eberflus being fired after Thanksgiving. But with a new coaching staff in place, Stevenson gets a fresh start and a chance to prove he can continue to be that ballhawk in this Dennis Allen-led defense. Still, Stevenson isn't guaranteed a starting spot. He could face competition from Terell Smith and rookie Zah Frazier for reps opposite Johnson this summer. But if Stevenson can prove his worth to this coaching staff, he'll get a chance at redemption in Year 3. Advertisement Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson among rare company as ballhawk
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears' Gervon Dexter explains what makes Dennis Allen special
With all the attention and hype that new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has received since being hired back in January, a lot of players on the roster have also expressed excitement on the defensive side. As he was assembling his coaching staff, Johnson brought in veteran coach Dennis Allen to be the defensive coordinator for Chicago, and players have shared plenty of optimism about his arrival and potential impact as he looks to install a violent, aggressive defensive mindset. Advertisement Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr., one of the rising young players on defense, raved about Allen's arrival and how he feels the veteran coordinator can highlight his strengths. "Coach Allen's defense is a lot of different, you know what I mean?" Dexter said. "He throws in a lot of different fronts, a lot of different ways to get after the quarterback and stuff like that. So I think being the type of guy I am, I can play in a lot of those different fronts. So just being in it and he'll move guys around the way, and the offense - he'll switch it up on the offense. It'll be good for not only me, but everybody on the defensive line and on this defense." Last season, Dexter, totaled 51 tackles, five sacks, and two fumble recoveries, showing a big jump from his rookie season, and now will look to build on that in his third season. Chicago brought in extra reinforcements on the defensive line by signing veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who could be a mentor for Dexter just as much as Allen could be as his coach. For all the focus that the offense and quarterback Caleb Williams have received this offseason with the new coaching staff led by Johnson, there should be a similar feeling on defense. Allen will have a good mixture of both veterans and young players to work and mold in his first year as defensive coordinator, and Dexter could be one of the biggest beneficiaries. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears' Gervon Dexter explains what makes Dennis Allen special
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Tremaine Edmunds (No. 23)
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class. Every day from now right up through training camp, we're counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year. Next up at No. 23 is linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who XX Background Position: Linebacker Age: 27 Experience: 8th season 2025 cap hit: $17.43 million 2024 recap The Bears made Edmunds one of the highest-paid linebackers with a four-year, $72 million contract in 2023. While Edmunds has been consistent throughout his NFL career, as he's totaled at least 100 total tackles every season, the problem is the Bears are paying him like an elite linebacker when he's yet to prove that. Edmunds saw a dip in production last season, where he totaled 110 tackles, including three tackles for loss, one interception, eight pass breakups, one sack and one forced fumble. While Edmunds made plays, he still left some to be desired, especially in the form of missed tackles (he missed at least one tackle in 10 of 17 games) and passer rating allowed (92.9). Edmunds graded out as one of the worst linebackers, via Pro Football Focus, with a 59.3 overall grade. He notably struggled in coverage (56.3) and pass rush (52.9). 2025 outlook Edmunds is entrenched as the Bears' starting middle linebacker alongside T.J. Edwards heading into the 2025 season, and he'll be key to the success of this defense. Edmunds should benefit from the addition of new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who employs the kind of defensive scheme that could make him a formidable force in the middle of the field. Following a so-so first couple of seasons in Chicago, Edmunds needs a big year to justify his lofty contract and prove that he's worthy to remain on the roster in 2026. Big Question: What does Edmunds' future hold? There are a number of players who serve to benefit from the addition of new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, including Edmunds who has the potential for a breakout year in Allen's linebacker-friendly scheme. And Edmunds needs a big season if he hopes to remain in Chicago. Edmunds is entering the final year of his contract next season, and there's an out in the final year of his contract that would only cost the Bears $2.43 million in dead money as compared to this year ($35.46 million). Even if Edmunds finally has that breakout year in Chicago, it's going to need to be big enough to justify a $17.43 million cap hit in 2026. Especially if Ruben Hyppolite II has a promising rookie season and gives the Bears cause to believe he could slide into that middle linebacker role. 30 Most Important Bears of 2025 Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
PFF grades for Bears' projected starting defense in 2025
There are high expectations surrounding the Chicago Bears heading into the 2025 season following the hiring of head coach Ben Johnson, who made a huge addition with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who should take this defense to the next level. The Bears made some big additions this offseason along the defensive line, including the free-agent acquisitions of defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (an experienced veteran and proven leader) and edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo (an ascending pass rusher poised to make a leap). They also added some potential playmakers in the 2025 NFL draft, including defensive tackle Shemar Turner, linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II and cornerback Zah Frazier. Advertisement With Allen taking the reins on defense, there's little doubt the unit should prosper behind their new defensive coordinator's aggressive style of defense. But there were some encouraging moments from Chicago's starters last season and for the newcomers joining the fold, as evidenced by Pro Football Focus. PFF grades (2024) for projected starters on Bears defense: EDGE Montez Sweat - 65.6 EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo - 66.1 DT Gervon Dexter Sr. - 70.3 DT Grady Jarrett - 62.1 LB T.J. Edwards - 60.7 LB Tremaine Edmunds - 59.2 CB Jaylon Johnson - 76.2 CB Tyrique Stevenson - 58.9 NCB Kyler Gordon - 76.0 S Kevin Byard - 72.8 S Jaquan Brisker - 65.3 Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: PFF grades for Chicago Bears' projected starting defense in 2025
