National media outlet names Bears' second-year defender as team's top breakout candidate for the 2024 season

With a new wave of impact players joining a roster already filled with multiple rising stars, pointing a out a potential breakout player for the Chicago Bears is a difficult task.

One name was still able to stand out to Pro Football Focus who could fit that role on the team after already having an eye-opening 2023 season.

In a recent article posted earlier this week, PFF listed a breakout player for each team during the 2024 season and ended up selecting second-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson for the Bears.

Here is what Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker had to say about Stevenson's 2024 season expectations: 

Stevenson had a good Year 1 as the Bears’ CB2, coming down with four interceptions and 13 pass breakups but allowing a 100.4 passer rating when targeted. Another good sign: his four highest-graded games came in Week 11 or later. With star Jaylon Johnson solidified next to him and a secondary bolstered with Kevin Byard, Stevenson should shoulder larger responsibilities for a revamped Bears team with lofty goals. - PFF's Bradley Locker

Entering Year 2, Stevenson is once again expected to slide into the starting role on the outside opposite 2023 Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson after the team opted to not make any notable additions at the position.

Stevenson's 2023 season was filled with ups and downs after being thrusted into the starting role. Playing opposite of Johnson, who locked down his side of the field all season long, Stevenson faced a lot of attention from opposing quarterbacks.

As a result, Stevenson allowed a 100.4 pass rating and nine touchdowns (tied second-most among CBs with 500+ coverage snaps) during the 2023 season, according to PFF. However, Stevenson also led all rookie defenders and his team with four interceptions and 13 pass deflections.

While the takeaways and pass breakups were great numbers to see out of the rookie, Stevenson's consistency and reliability overall in coverage need to be improved upon going into 2024, but there's reason for optimism for the young defensive back.

During the final three games of the 2023 regular season, Stevenson's 84.6 coverage grade led all rookie cornerbacks and ranked sixth in the entire league. By the end of the season, Stevenson was playing his best ball of his rookie campaign and can look to build off of that success at the start of this upcoming season.

If he can manage to do so and play in coverage at a more consistent level, the Bears' secondary can be among the best in the NFL with the addition of former All-Pro Kevin Byard joining the backend. Head coach Matt Eberflus' zone scheme will also reward Stevenson's opportunistic style, meaning even more takeaways coming his way.