The Chicago Bears enter this season with a lot of hype and expectations, following a strong offseason for The Windy City. For the first time in a long time, there’s excitement and optimism surrounding the Bears.
Whether the team performs to Chicago’s expectations or not is up for debate, but there’s little debate on which players are expected to break out this season for the Bears.
3 Bears Players Who Could Breakout This Season
Gervon Dexter Sr.
Entering his second season with the Bears after being selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Gervon Dexter Sr. is one of the top candidates to break out this season for Chicago.
Dexter, a three-year defensive lineman for the Florida Gators, was quiet in his rookie season. Through over 400 defensive snaps in his rookie season, Dexter totaled just 20 tackles, 12 QB hits, and 2.5 sacks. Of that total, 11 tackles, nine QB hits, and 2.5 sacks came in the final eight games — approximately once Montez Sweat joined the team.
As an interior defensive lineman, stats aren’t all-telling of how disruptive they can be in games. If they’re getting stats on top of being chaotic in the trenches, that’s what separates the good from the great.
Now, Dexter isn’t expected to become Aaron Donald overnight, but he’s been noticeably working on getting to that next level in his game. It was evident that once Sweat joined the defense in Chicago, it gave Dexter a bump in his development.
That development is expected to be seen this season.
Velus Jones Jr.
While the beginning of Velus Jones Jr.’s career in the NFL hasn’t gone as he probably would’ve liked, the Bears look to be finding new ways for him to bring value to this offense.
In the preseason, Jones has been seen taking reps with the running backs; considering the speed he possesses, it makes sense. This move could help Jones reach the potential Ryan Poles anticipated from him. Poles drafted Jones with the 71st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and at the time, it was a pick that split the room.
On one hand, Jones brings a wide range of tools that can be placed just about anywhere on a field and be successful. Spending four years at USC and his last two in Tennessee, Jones was more of a playmaker than a pure wide receiver. Utilized in the return game, Jones eclipsed 600 return yards three times in his career, showcasing an ability to be a threat regardless of how the ball gets in his hands.
SEE MORE: PFN Life — Off-the-Field Content
On the other hand, Jones was 25 years old at the start of his rookie season, giving him less time to develop in the NFL than most rookies. The majority of rookies come into the NFL at around 22 years old, so with Jones already being the age of some players when they’re being signed to their second contract, some people were unhappy with the pick.
Another unfortunate truth about Jones is something that Bears fans would find out by the end of his rookie season. The former Volunteer can get careless with the football, making fumbles an issue during his rookie season.
However, with this potential new role, Jones has a pathway to playing time in an offense that’s expected to make leaps in the explosive plays department.
Tyrique Stevenson
Second-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson comes into this season looking to begin the way he ended last year. Stevenson was one of the top defensive players on the Bears last year, and with the entire offseason to build on his strong rookie campaign, a breakout season is expected.
The game that put Stevenson on a lot of NFL fans’ watch was when Chicago played Atlanta in Week 17. Stevenson finished the game with five tackles, two interceptions, and four passes defended, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Pairing alongside one of the top cornerbacks in the league, Jaylon Johnson, quarterbacks don’t have an easy time throwing to the outside against the Bears. Add Kyler Gordon in the middle, and Chicago has formed an Avengers team of defensive backs.
Stevenson ended his rookie season starting in all 16 games he played in, totaling 86 tackles, four interceptions, 16 passes defended, and two forced fumbles. His 16 passes defended tied for most among rookies, tying with Seattle’s No. 5 overall pick Devon Witherspoon.
If he has the season he’s expected to have, Stevenson could give reason to solidify the Bears as one of the top defensive secondaries in the league.