The Chicago Bears have a relatively strong group of young cornerbacks heading into the 2025 season.
In its secondary rankings for the 2025 season, PFF has Chicago’s secondary ranked seventh in the NFL, with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon among the reasons the team was placed so high.
The primary question mark in the CBs room is Tyrique Stevenson, who is entering a pivotal Year 3. After numerous well-publicized gaffes during his sophomore campaign, the hope is that Stevenson will put it together in 2025 under new DC Dennis Allen.
With less depth at safety than corner, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic was asked in his July 7 mailbag whether backup CB Terell Smith might move over from CB to safety. Fishbain thinks that while Smith will likely stay put at corner, both he and Stevenson could be trade chips if rookie CB Zah Frazier takes off.
“If you’re looking for potential trade chips — again, this is not a report, just summer speculating — you could look at these two players, especially if the Bears feel good about rookie Zah Frazier,” Fishbain wrote about Stevenson and Smith.
More on Why Tyrique Stevenson Might Be Trade Candidate
GettyChicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson has been labeled a potential trade candidate, as has Terell Smith.
Stevenson was drafted by the Bears in the second round (56th overall) in 2023. His rookie year, he started 16 games, finishing with 86 total tackles (one for loss), 16 pass breakups and four interceptions.
In 2024, Stevenson again started 16 games, finishing with 78 tackles, 12 pass defenses and two INTs, including a 43-yard pick-six that helped spark a comeback win Week 1. Across 32 career games, he’s tallied 164 tackles, 28 PBUs, six picks, three forced fumbles and a touchdown.
“This is a position of depth,” Fishbain added about the Bears CBs room. “This will be a pressure-packed season for Stevenson. … The talent is there, but can defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and defensive backs coach Al Harris get it consistently?”
We think so. At just 24, Stevenson is still on his under rookie contract (four years at less than $6.4 million) and brings significant playmaking upside—especially after adding veteran DB coach Harris, known for unlocking the potential of his players.
Despite occasional lapses, Stevenson has shown flashes, and if he grows under Harris, he’ll turn into a foundational piece, not a trade chip.
Could Terell Smith Be a Trade Chip for Chicago Bears in 2025?
Smith is an interesting case, and a far more likely trade candidate for the Bears.
A 5th-round pick (165th overall) in 2023 out of Minnesota, he has filled when needed over his two seasons. In 2023, he started six games and totaled 49 tackles (three for loss), a forced fumble and six pass breakups.
In 2024, the 6-foot, 205-pound Smith played in 14 games (two starts), amassing 15 tackles and his first NFL interception Week 10. If Frazier plays well as a rookie this year, Smith could be the more expendable player.
“Having Smith as the top backup at corner is a nice commodity, especially on his contract,” Fishbain added. “But if the Bears feel really good about Frazier, then maybe it’s a discussion worth having. Until then, they’re probably better off with Smith at his usual spot.”
Smith is reliable rotational depth for the Bears and can step into a starting role if needed. That potential to start coupled with his very affordable $4 million rookie contract could be appealing to some DB-needy squads, and Chicago could very well field offers for him.
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