Tyrique Stevenson has the distinction of being the only player that Ryan Poles has traded up to select in two drafts as Bears general manager.
Throughout offseason practices, the second-round cornerback from Miami has regularly displayed the attributes that made him such a coveted prospect.
"He's really shown what he showed in college," said coach Matt Eberflus. "So really good ball skills, length, instinct, competitiveness, he's shown all those things. And he's had a couple nice interceptions during the course of the offseason."
Stevenson exudes the demeanor of a seasoned pro, not a prospect who has yet to play an NFL snap. The 23-year-old has looked comfortable teaming on the No. 1 defense with cornerback Jaylon Johnson, safeties Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker and nickel back Kyler Gordon.
"[Stevenson] is a little bit ahead, I would say," Eberflus said. "It seems more like a veteran than it does a rookie, which is kind of cool, to be able to watch that. He's very confident. I think the guys gravitate toward him. He's a likable guy because I think he does love football and he is competitive. I think he fits in well with Gordon and Brisker and Eddie and all those guys that are really competitive that like to grind it and like to practice."
Stevenson's mindset reminds Jackson how Brisker—also a second-round pick—approached his rookie season last year.
"[Stevenson] is coming out there, young guy, don't care," Jackson said. "Years in the league, that don't matter. He just wants to go out there and ball and play. Right now, he's stepping up to the plate. He's accepting the challenge. In meetings, he's taking notes. We sit right next to each other, and I feel like coach [Jon] Hoke challenges him a lot. I know sometimes he gets a little frustrated, but like I told him, it's all going to pay off in the end.
"He's locked in. He's listening, keeping his head down, asking the right questions. He's doing his job and making plays. That's what you want to see from a young guy like that."
Fields, Moore continuing to create chemistry
It's clear to those who've watched offseason practices—including their teammates—that quarterback Justin Fields and receiver DJ Moore have already developed a rapport.
"That one (Fields) and two (Moore) connection is going to be crazy this year," said defensive tackle Justin Jones, referring to their jersey numbers. "I'm going to tell you that right now. I like what I see. DJ Moore is a great addition. He's made some amazing catches this OTAs. It's something we haven't had here in a long time. I'm excited."
The Bears acquired Moore along with four draft picks from the Panthers in exchange for the No. 1 choice in this year's draft. The 6-foot, 210-pounder arrives after catching 364 passes for 5,201 yards and 21 touchdowns in five seasons in Carolina.
"He is somebody who can get open, who can run every route on the route tree," Jones said. "He can beat man, press, any type of coverage you throw at him, double teams. He's running right by guys, hitting them with double moves."
Terrell Lewis stepping up
Defensive end Terrell Lewis, a third-year pro who was signed to the Bears practice squad last Dec. 20, displayed impressive pass rush moves in Tuesday's minicamp practice.
Edge rusher is a role Lewis is expected to compete for in training camp.
"I think he can do that," Eberflus said. "I really think that's what his trait is, is his ability to get off the football and rush the passer. We'll see how far it goes during training camp and see how far he goes with it."
Lewis was chosen by the Rams in the third round of the 2020 draft out of Alabama. He appeared in 30 games with seven starts over three seasons with Los Angeles, amassing 40 tackles, 6.0 sacks, one interception and eight tackles-for-loss. Last year he played in 11 games with three starts, recording 13 tackles, 1.0 sack, one interception and two tackles-for-loss before being waived Dec. 15.
Lewis has been reunited in Chicago with Jackson, his teammate at Alabama in 2016.
"I know what type of player he is," Jackson said. "I feel like right now he's recreating himself: new team, new identity. Just our front in general, I feel like those guys challenge each other, day-in, day-out, even in the meeting room, how they work … We feed off that in the back end."
