One of the most physical safeties in the NFL is on the move. Jaquan Brisker, the established starter on the back end of the Chicago Bears‘ secondary, has agreed to terms on a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His new deal is reported to be for one year, worth up to $5.5 million.
Jaquan Brisker, Steelers, Agree to Contract
Initially a JUCO product, Brisker transferred to Penn State after two years at Lackawanna College. After three seasons holding down the secondary for the Nittany Lions, Brisker was selected with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
As a rookie, Brisker immediately took over as a starting safety for the Bears. In 15 games, Brisker played every possible defensive snap and amassed 104 total tackles with five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, four sacks, two pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
In his second season in 2022, it was more of the same. Over 15 starts, Brisker added 105 total tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, one sack, one interception, nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
Brisker’s 2024 season was cut short due to issues after sustaining a concussion in Week 5. He was on pace for a career year. In five games, he notched 40 tackles, three tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, one sack, two pass breakups, an interception, and a forced fumble.
Last year, Brisker got healthy again, starting all 17 games for the first time in his career. In those 17 games, he amassed 93 tackles, one tackle for loss, three quarterback hits, one sack, eight pass breakups, and one interception.
In his career, Brisker allowed a 64.9% completion percentage in coverage and has a 7.3% missed tackle rate over the course of his career (27 total missed tackles vs. 342 made tackles). He was utilized as a blitzer at the highest rate of his career last year, being sent 41 times on 1,072 defensive snaps.
