Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson addressed the team Monday morning and apologized for not being in position for Washington's game-winning Hail Mary touchdown on Sunday.

“I apologized to the boys for letting them down,” he said. “I let the moment get too big and it’s something that can never happen again and will never happen again.”

As the Commanders prepared to take the final snap of the game from their 48-yard line, Stevenson could be seen shouting to the fans in the stands. He said he wasn't mocking, but rather cheering on the other Bears fans.

Stevenson should have picked up and boxed out Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown, Stevenson and coach Matt Eberflus confirmed.

“Tyrique has to do a good job of getting his body to 85 and boxing it out,” Eberflus said. “We know he has to do well.”

Instead, Stevenson was late to the play and attempted to deflect the pass. Brown was unguarded behind the group of jumpers and caught the winning touchdown pass.

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JAYDEN DANIELS Hail, Mary! @COMMANDERS WIN! pic.twitter.com/BsQ0Z84Rko

– NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024

“I’m just trying to play for my team,” Stevenson said. “It could have easily been, 'Oh, Tyrique, good pass knockdown,' and we're not in the situation we're in right now.”

As a second-year cornerback, Stevenson received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty early in the game for fighting with Commanders players. He also delivered a 61-yard pass to receiver Terry McLaurin.

“I would say the only thing I regret from yesterday is letting this team down by working so hard, coming back and putting us in the W column,” he said. “You know, just for me to be out of place and do something out of character for me and cost us the loss.”

Veteran safety Kevin Byard, who was tasked as a bear with diving to tip the ball, said he knew Stevenson “got pressured on social media” but he would “back up my guy.”

“It will be a great lesson for him as we move forward this season and how to deal with adversity in life,” Byard said. “You only lose if you don’t learn, and I think he’ll learn from it and improve from it.”

Tight end Cole Kmet, another team captain, said the Bears appreciated Stevenson standing in front of the team and said what he did at the end of the game was “unacceptable.”

“That’s the unfortunate part, and I would also say the beauty of this game is that you disrespect it in a certain way and it will come back to haunt you one way or another,” Kmet said. “I think it’s a learning experience for everyone. We all play with a lot of passion. Tyrique plays with a lot of passion and we all love him for that. But there’s definitely respect for the game and knowing that you have to finish it until those double zeros are on the clock.”

As for discipline, Eberflus said, “These things will always be internal as we work with our players as we move forward.” It's really about development and making everyone better. We’ll get to that answer later in the week.”

Eberflus said Stevenson's conversation with the team was “a really good moment” and “showed responsibility and accountability.”

We'll see if that's enough for Stevenson to avoid other consequences, be it such a serious suspension or being relegated to the bench for the upcoming Arizona game. He posted an apology on social media Sunday night, spoke to the team Monday morning and then addressed the media.

Cornerback Terell Smith, who played two series in place of Stevenson during the game – likely to give Stevenson a breather while he recovered from a calf injury – would start if the Bears decide to use their starting cornerback.

Stevenson leads the Bears with six passes defended and has one interception this season.

Required reading

• Hail Mary shines a spotlight on the Bears' failings, a team not yet ready for prime time
• Washington's Hail Mary curses the Bears to an incredible road loss
• Caleb Williams once won a game in DC on a Hail Mary. On Sunday he was on the other side

(Photo: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)