The Chicago Bears revamped their secondary and, more specifically, their group of safeties this offseason, including allowing former second-round draft pick Jaquan Brisker to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency.
Brisker is a Pittsburgh native and played his college ball at Penn State.
Still, his recent remarks seemingly included a bit of shade for his former team, the Bears, in comparison to his current one.
Jaquan Brisker Appears to Shade Bears in Steelers Praise
Ex-Bears Star Jaquan Brisker Sends Strong Message About Steelers
The Bears drafted Brisker in the second round with the 48th overall pick of the 2023 draft, and he started all 52 games that he played for the organization during his tenure. However, the Bears appear to have made little if any effort to retain Brisker.
He spoke fondly about his time, but recently seemingly suggested he is in a better place.
“I’m really Blessed! This is what I prayed for, this exact situation..,” Brisker posted on X on June 9. “Grass is greener [praying and bow and arrow emojis].”
Brisker inked a one-year deal to sign with his hometown club, while the Bears drafted Dillon Thieneman and signed Coby Bryant to replace him and Kevin Byard III, respectively. Notably, incumbent and former seventh-round selection Elijah Hicks has been with the starters so far.
Lewis has navigated an injury sustained during OTAs. The veteran defensive back has been sidelined since.
How long it takes for Thieneman to claim the other starting role will be something to monitor for the Bears’ most recent first-round draft pick.
Bears’ Secondary Under Microscope
We will not know if the Bears made the right decision with their secondary until they begin facing opponents in the preseason (and joint practices). The same is true for Brisker’s fit in Pittsburgh, despite his apparent assertion.
The Steelers ranked 17th in scoring defense and the 26th-ranked unit overall.
Brisker and the Bears finished 23rd and 29th, respectively, backing Brisker’s claims, though perhaps not by as wide a margin as his remarks seem to suggest.
The Bears will not face Brisker and the Steelers during the 2026 regular season, meaning the only way for the sparkplug safety to face his former team is if both clubs reach the Super Bowl in LA, an outcome both sides would sign up for today if given the option.
The Bears have two more minicamp practices before they go on break until training camp.
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