As the Chicago Bears prepare for training camp, one piece of news emerged that will have an influence on one of the roster’s most contentious players.
Sauce Gardner, the New York Jets’ cornerback, has signed a new deal. It was a four-year, $120 million contract. Now, it’s almost too evident what the Bears will do with third-year pro Tyrique Stevenson.
As if the Bears were going to pay him a lot of money, this very much assures his future will not be in Chicago if he ends up balling out. In a strange manner, Stevenson’s predicament in Chicago is nearly a lose-lose.
Sauce Gardner’s agreement emphasizes the reality that Tyrique Stevenson will not be around for the long haul.
If Stevenson recovers from a difficult second season and the notorious Fail Mary, it would be a positive for the Bears. Chicago would love nothing more than for Stevenson to develop into a true, consistent starting cornerback. So far, he’s made some major plays. However, he has also taken some bad risks and been burned on occasion.
If Stevenson does not turn things around, the Bears will not keep him in the long run. However, if he performs well and balls out in 2025, the Bears will be compelled to not extend him.
The apparent answer is that Chicago just cannot pay Jaylon Johnson and Stevenson top salary. It would be a fantastic problem to have for the time being, until Stevenson eventually leaves town, but it would end in the same way. He would leave town.
If (and this is a big ‘if’) Stevenson performs to his potential, he will almost likely land a big contract with another team. Take into account that Johnson may desire a raise after his freshly inked contract appears to be a bargain.
Johnson was paid on a four-year, $76 million contract only last summer. Gardner now receives a $44 million raise based on that number. That’s incredible, and it surely suggests Johnson could earn a raise before this contract expires.
Return to Stevenson. At this point, the logic is simple. If he performs well, he will get a huge contract when his rookie agreement expires at the end of the 2026 season. If he doesn’t play well, he is unlikely to be a starter for long.
In the grand scheme of things, this is just another lose-lose situation. The Bears hope that if Stevenson ascends, they will be able to capitalize and make a postseason run while he is still available.
