“Bears Coach Eberflus Faces Questions on Discipline for CB Tyrique Stevenson After Costly Hail Mary Incident”
At a press conference on Wednesday, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus responded defensively to questions, preferring to focus on the team’s upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals. However, reporters were primarily interested in whether cornerback Tyrique Stevenson would start in Week 9 after his controversial actions during a Hail Mary play that allowed the Washington Commanders to clinch an 18-15 victory over Chicago in Week 8. A viral video showed Stevenson taunting Commanders fans and turning away from the snap. Stevenson later issued an apology on social media and to his teammates.
Eberflus declined to specify if Stevenson would face disciplinary action or start against the Cardinals, though he acknowledged Stevenson’s playmaking skills over the past two seasons. “We’re behind Tyrique and with him all the way,” Eberflus stated.
When asked if excusing Stevenson would send a message that star players could ignore the team’s H.I.T.S philosophy, Eberflus maintained that the team’s loss was itself a consequence. Some interpreted Eberflus’s response as an attempt to avoid criticizing a key player amid a locker room already frustrated with his game management decisions. Eberflus added that he had addressed Stevenson individually, which he said reflects how he hopes players would approach him regarding their concerns over certain in-game calls, such as handing off to a 320-pound lineman at the goal line or allowing the Commanders to set up a Hail Mary attempt.