Jaquan Brisker was all over the field in the Chicago Bears’ 24-18 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4. The third-year safety recorded 12 total tackles, including 8 solo stops, with 1.0 sacks, 1 interception, 1 pass deflection, and 1 quarterback hit in the contest.
However, Brisker did not secure Defensive Player of the Week in Week 4. Atlanta Falcons edge Troy Andersen took home the honor.
For Brisker, it is just more fuel to the fire.
Bears S Jaquan Brisker Appreciates Overlooked Status
Bears’ Jaquan Brisker: ‘We Won’t Be Disrespected’ This Season
“Thank you,” Brisker posted on X on October 2, sharing a graphic of the week’s winners.
Thank you. 🤫 https://t.co/mnKurTfL7K
— Quanny B. (@JaquanBrisker) October 2, 2024
“To be honest, I’m really used to it ever since I was in high school,” Brisker told Clocker Sports ahead of Wednesday’s practice. “People have been sleeping me for so long and things like that. But we won’t be disrespected this year. I appreciate them for putting something inside me even more. I was already motivated, but now I’m even more motivated. I’m glad that, every level, I had to prove people were wrong. So that’s fine.”
Andersen recorded 16 stops (9 solo), 1 deflection, 1 QB hit, and 1 pick that he scored on in the Falcon’s 26-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 4. Andersen’s pick came in the second quarter of the contest.
He put points on the board.
Brisker can hang his hat on his interception ending the Rams’ comeback bid. Brisker’s sack also came in the fourth quarter, giving him a pair of impactful plays with the game on the line.
A second-round pick in 2022, Brisker is having a career year in several key metrics. He is on track for a career-high in tackles and a career-low passer rating against and missed tackle rate (currently 67.9 and 5.3%, respectively, per Pro Football Reference).
DeMarcus Walker Talks Chemistry on Defense
That the Bears defense has had the start it has is not surprising. They finished the 2023 season on a high note and, perhaps most importantly, they are healthier than they were to begin the campaign last year, including Brisker.
In DeMarcus Walker’s eyes, though, it is a matter of continuity and players stepping up.
“I feel a lot of guys just have been working and being more intense,” Walker told Clocker Sports on Wednesday. “I think you also got to consider that that was the first time the front seven was playing together. To where [this season] we got 10 of 11 starters back from last year. So we shouldn’t be having trouble.”
Chemistry is an underrated aspect on the defensive side of the ball. Chemistry along the offensive line is often a driving story line.
Even quarterback-to-wide receiver connections garner more attention. But when asked about the significance of chemistry on defense, Walker spoke to an 11-player effort to make it work on any give play.
His commentary is a testament to the mindset inside the Bears’ defensive huddle.
“The rush and coverage work right together,” Walker said. “So we try to be able to make sure that we’re doing our part holding the line screen and that we’re earning our right to rush the passer. So none of those sacks and none of those pressures will happen if we don’t stop the run.”
The Bears shored up their run defense in the fourth quarter versus the Rams, limiting LA to 1.5 yards per carry.
The Rams were averaging over 5.0 yards per tote up until that point.
As for the Bears offense which has appeared to find its way, especially in the second half of the last two games? Walker says it was encouraging to see and that they expect them to perform as well given the talent on that side of the ball.
That is even with a rookie in Williams at QB.
“It was good. I love to see that to where they got chemistry growing and they’re growing together,” Walker said.
“We try not to look at the age part of it. Looking at the weapons he [Williams] has around him, and this talented team that we have, you gotta be able to learn as you go and continue to grow together and play good football.”
Gervon Dexter Details Backstory of Sack Celebration vs Rams
Second-year defensive tackle Gervon Dexter has already set a new career-high for sacks with 3.0 through four weeks. He celebrated his most recent with a rather sentimental “dance,” inspired by his son, who bears the same name.
Dexter posted a side-by-side of his inspiration for his dance on X.
— Gervon Dexter SR (@GervonDexter) September 30, 2024
Dexter is on a 12.0-plus-sack pace. He may not finish with that many. But Dexter has delivered on the stance he has taken since the offseason. He spoke about that, replicating his son’s pose, and more before practice on Wednesday in an interview fans can watch here. Brisker, Dexter, Walker, and the Bears host the Carolina Panthers in Week 5.