Beyond the 'Fail Mary': Trade for Bears' Tyrique Stevenson Could Fix a Chargers Need
Beyond the 'Fail Mary': Trade for Bears' Tyrique Stevenson Could Fix a Chargers Need
Tyrique Stevenson is entering the final year of his contract in Chicago with a rookie replacement now on the roster, a change of scenery could be for the best.Thomas Martinez|
In this story:
Los Angeles ChargersChicago BearsThe Chargers are wrapping up mandatory mini-camp on Thursday and will be off until training camp starts sometime in July. The Chargers will be heading to camp with solid depth at most positions as the main battle will be for the starting left guard spot and roles in the secondary.
One of the few position groups the Chargers still have questions at is at cornerback. The incumbent starters or main contributors is veteran Donte Jackson alongside third-year cornerbacks Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart. Behind them is a series of question marks.
Veteran Deane Leonard has been an exceptional special teams player with notable and quantifiable differences when he in on the field versus when he is off. Leonard's role on defense has been solid when he is healthy but he has not grown into a main contributor.
Following the initial four is a group of undrafted free agents from the 2025 class being joined by rookies from the 2026 class. Nikko Reed made the 53-man roster and contributed as a rookie and will look to maintain and expand his spot on the roster. The Chargers did not draft a cornerback in the 2026 draft but not for a lack of trying. Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said the board did not fall in their favor for a cornerback when recapping the draft following day three.
The Chargers will likely let camp battles play out just as they have done the past two seasons and will evalutate where the rooms are at as the season draws near. In 2024, the safety depth was not where the Chargers wanted it and then swung a trade with the Tennessee Titans for defensive back Elijah Molden after the final preseason game. Could they do the same this season with the cornerback room?
Why Tyrique Stevenson would make sense for the Chargers
Tyrique Stevenson is big boundary cornerback that is entering the final year of his rookie deal with the Chicago Bears. ESPN's Ben Solak highlighted Stevenson versus rookie Malik Muhammad as a camp battle to watch.
Stevenson, may be on the outside of that particular battle for multiple reasons. For starters, the Bears traded up to select Muhammad and are already pushing the rookie. The second reason is the giant elephant in the room and in Chicago. Tyrique Stevenson is the famous author of the 2024 "fail mary" play where he was seen mocking Washington fans with his back turned to the play as the ball was snapped for a hail mary attempt. To make matters worse, Stevenson misplayed the ball and tipped it directly to a Commanders wide receiver for the game-winning score.
Tyrique Stevenson actively chirping with fans during play on the Hail Mary.
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) October 28, 2024
Not a great look pic.twitter.com/wN7U1yE0VN
It was a bonehead play and look from Stevenson, there is no debate. The play and backlash shook Stevenson's confidence and he admitted even a year later that it still hurt.
Heading into the final year of his rookie deal, trading him would free up his entire base salary for the Bears and a fresh start may be the best thing for his long-term career as well. The Chargers, in need of depth in the cornerback room could use him.
Stevenson is still a talented and big boundary corner capable of man coverage against bigger NFL receivers. The Chargers, with defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale, have been able to bring out the best from their corners and safeties and put them in position to succeed.
In 2025, Stevenson was Chicago's best man cover corner. New defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary has hinted at being more aggressive on defense which would require corners who can cover man-to-man giving Stevenson an easy role to work into with the Chargers.
The Bears and Chargers have traded with each other before and most recently in a 2024 trade which sent franchise icon Keenan Allen to Chicago. There have been no public comments alluding to Stevenson's availability, but with all the arrows pointing to this being Stevenson's last season in Chicago, Joe Hortiz certainly could convince Bears general manager Ryan Poles of a reasonable deal, especially if Malik Muhammad appears ready in training camp.
Published Jun 18, 2026
THOMAS MARTINEZThomas Martinez has covered the Chargers and the NFL draft since 2022. Born and raised as a Chargers fan, experienced the improbable Super Bowl run in the 94’ season as a child, survived Ryan Leaf, the Marlon McCree fumble and Nate Kaeding in the playoffs. He graduated from UC Riverside with a degree in Political Science and The University of Redlands with an MBA.
Home/Los Angeles Chargers Latest News
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
