How key Bears rookies can turn Lions meltdown into long-term rebuild positive originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — It’s hard to take a meltdown loss like the one the Bears had in Detroit last Sunday and turn it into a positive.
It’s impossible.
The Bears outplayed the NFC North-leading Lions for 54 minutes. They pushed them around and were on the verge of the first signature win of the Matt Eberlfus era. That everything unraveled in six minutes showed the warts of this rebuild and should lead to some difficult conversations about its direction.
The Bears are past the point of moral victories. They need to win games in which they outplay their opponent. There are no more excuses for a lack of execution in critical moments.
But as demoralizing as the Motown Meltdown was, it can be a force for good as the Bears project forward.
The loss in Detroit was a breakout game for rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. It provided critical learning moments for two other building block rookies that the Bears believe are foundational pieces of this rebuild.
It has been a trial-by-fire season for Stevenson. That’s often the case with rookie corners. Kyler Gordon went through it last season in Chicago. Jaylon Johnson remembers taking his lumps in 2020.
Stevenson entered Sunday’s game having given up 52 catches on 72 targets. But the Miami product didn’t allow a catch in 35 coverage snaps against the Lions and picked off the only pass sent his way.
While the stats might not show it, the Bears have seen Stevenson take the hard lessons of the NFL cauldron and quickly apply them to his game to become a better pro. It’s a big part of why they believe the rookie has the potential to be an elite shutdown corner.
“It’s been really good. It’s been solid,” head coach Matt Eberflus said of Stevenson’s growth. “You play corner in the NFL as a rookie, first of all, they’re going to highlight you and they’re going to come at you the first half of the season. They’re…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/key-bears-rookies-turn-lions-222441221.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2023-11-25 22:24:41
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