It’s trade rumor season, and veteran NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum has proposed a historic trade: Tyrique
Stevenson, a cornerback for the Chicago Bears, for wide receiver Stefon Diggs of the Buffalo Bills.
The player-to-player trade was suggested by the former general manager of the New York Jets and Miami
Dolphins on the February 20 episode of ESPN’s “Get Up.” He cited Chicago’s dearth of wide receiver depth as the
main reason the Bears should make the move. Stevenson was chosen by the Bears in the second round of the
2023 NFL Draft, and he had an outstanding first season the previous year. Stevenson started 16 games, forced
two fumbles, intercepted 16 passes, and tied for the team lead in interceptions (4).
career with 107 receptions for 1,183 yards (11.1 yards per catch) and eight touchdowns. The Bears need wide
receiver assistance, no question about it, but there’s almost no chance the organization would trade a young,
talented defensive back for a 30-year-old wide receiver who is probably past his prime. That’s not to minimize
Diggs’ abilities; he’s not the best wide receiver in the NFL, but he’s still in the top half. The seasoned wide receiver
has been named an All-Pro in two of the last four seasons and has over 100 receptions in five of those seasons.
However, it is unclear why Tannenbaum believes this proposed deal will be well-received by either team. Why
would the Bills want to deal their best wide receiver, Josh Diggs, for another CB when they already have two
capable cornerbacks in Rasul Douglas and Tre’Davious White? Stevenson was selected by the Bears last year after
they moved up in the draft, and they are grateful for his defensive contributions. Additionally, considering that
the Bears are among the NFL’s 10 youngest teams, general manager Ryan Poles hasn’t shown a propensity to
chase aging players in free agency.
interceptions (22). The Bears have a ton of talent at cornerback with Stevenson, Jaylon Johnson, and Kyler
Gordon, three young guys who are all 25 or younger. Johnson and Stevenson both had four of those selections.
Last year, Gordon recorded two interceptions. Gordon’s performance increased significantly in Year 2. Week 1
against the Green Bay Packers resulted in a fractured hand for him, but when he was on the field, he usually had
an impact. He participated in 13 games, winning most of them at the slot machine (501 snaps).
After his first All-Pro season, Johnson is expected to be re-signed to a big contract extension or get franchised.
Johnson had an outstanding 2023, earning PFF’s highest coverage grade of 91.0. When targeted, he gave up a
pitiful 33.3 passer rating, allowing only 25 receptions on 50 targets. Since all three of the CBs have rising
trajectories, Tannenbaum’s suggestions seem a little out of the ordinary.
