With just seven games remaining on the regular season schedule, Jaquan Brisker could soon be playing his final snaps with the Chicago Bears.
The former second-round pick is on the final year of his $7.36 million rookie deal and is slated to hit unrestricted free agency in 2026. Thus, it’s fair to say Brisker is entering a critical stretch that could ultimately determine whether he sticks around in the long term. One top team insider thinks the Bears won’t be bringing Brisker back regardless.
“Four picks from the 2022 draft will be coming out of contract: Safety Jaquan Brisker, left tackle Braxton Jones, defensive end Dominique Robinson and safety Elijah Hicks,” Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune wrote on November 19.
“Given Brisker’s history of concussions, my guess is the Bears will look to rebuild at safety and consider re-signing Kevin Byard III, who leads the NFL with five interceptions. Maybe they like the idea of Robinson and/or Hicks returning on a modest one-year contract. As far as the other 2023 picks, they’ll probably be back in a position where they have to compete for a spot in 2026 in the final year of their contracts.”
A Look Back at Brisker’s Time With the Bears
GettyWill the Chicago Bears re-sign safety Jaquan Brisker in 2026? Should they?
Over his first two seasons, Brisker amassed 209 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and 11 passes defended. He had a promising start in 2024, netting 40 tackles, a sack and a pick in five games, but his season was derailed by a concussion.
Entering Week 12 this season, he has 49 tackles, three QB hits, an interception, a sack and three passes defensed.
Over his four seasons in Chicago, Brisker has established himself as a hard-hitting safety who plays well against the run while also holding his own in coverage. He’s also a solid blitzer when he’s asked to do it. Overall, he has played well in his 45 starts, and he’s playing well this year.
Unfortunately, the primary issue has been his availability and durability. Brisker’s time in Chicago has featured stretches of great play interrupted by concussions, soft-tissue injuries or other ailments. He dealt with thumb surgery before his rookie season, then sustained multiple concussions in 2022 and 2023. His 2024 concussion was the most serious, as it resulted in him missing 12 games, but so far in 2025, he has remained relatively healthy.
Will the Chicago Bears Re-Sign Safety Jaquan Brisker?
Brisker is the team’s only homegrown starting safety under 30, and there’s no doubt he’s an asset to Chicago’s defense when he’s healthy. But bringing him back with his injury history would involve significant risk.
Biggs mentioned the Bears will likely want to re-sign Byard, and they should. Byard has been excellent this season, and is currently leading the NFL with five interceptions. His veteran leadership has been invaluable, and mid-season addition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson has been a huge hit, as well. Bringing both Byard and Gardner-Johnson back would be a good idea for Chicago, but that could leave Brisker as the odd man out.
Brisker could command a deal in the neighborhood of $11–13 million per year if he finishes 2025 strong, which would place him in the tier just below the league’s elite safeties. It’s possible that given his injury history, Chicago could still offer him a two- or three-year extension with incentives and, say, per-game roster bonuses, but adding another safety in the 2026 draft might be the smartest move.
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