This offseason has been all about good vibes for the Chicago Bears, including the return to health of starting safety Jaquan Brisker. However, that exact situation is also one of the more interesting lingering items on the Bears’ docket just under one month before training camp.
The Bears selected Brisker with their second pick of the 2022 draft, No. 48 overall.
He has been a starter since he arrived, putting additional emphasis on the fact that he is also entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Jaquan Brisker’s Contract Situation Among Bears’ Most Significant Lingering Items
Bears Need Jaquan Brisker
Brisker played in five games last season, missing the other 12 with a concussion. He has dealt with concussions his entire career, but had only missed two games apiece in each of his first two seasons.
All but one of Brisker’s missed games have been attributed to concussions.
The lone exception, an “illness” in Week 8 of the 2023 season, turned into a concussion designation the following week.
Notably, the Bears have given up roughly the same rushing yards with (131.9 YPG) and without (131.6) Brisker in his career. However, their passing defense (177.1 PY/G with) has suffered greatly without him (235.4 PY/G).
This past season saw many failings on the defensive side of the ball for the Bears.
Their lack of a consistent pass rush and inability to stop the run contributed to the overall leakiness as much if not more than Brisker’s absence.
However, his leadership, both in how he plays and his propensity to hype up his teammates after a successful snap, were also greatly missed. Brisker’s intensity remains the same, and he says he is not planning to change the way he plays.
Jaquan Brisker’s Durability a Question Mark Heading Into Contract Season
Still, Brisker’s health is as key as his impact for the Bears when determining his future.
“The Bears may have offered Brisker an extension if he continued to perform at a high level for the entire 2024 campaign,” Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton wrote on June 21. “He was well on his way to a third consecutive solid year in Chicago, logging 40 tackles, three for loss, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble while allowing a 71.5 passer rating in five outings.”
Moton noted that the Bears “can offer” Brisker a deal, hoping that he continues to be impactful.
The lack of a true endorsement of the idea, though, speaks to the uncertainty about Brisker’s ability to remain on the field and make his impact felt. Bears general manager Ryan Poles has certainly not shied away from extending his players, including Brisker’s draft mate Kyler Gordon.
Gordon had missed more time than Brisker, who said he is 100% healthy, over their first two seasons. He was also absent from the on-field work during the Bears’ offseason program.
That could bode well for Brisker’s chances of securing a contract extension from the Bears.