There are a few contract extensions the Chicago Bears need to consider before or after the 2025 season, but one has stuck out more than the others.
Bears safety Jaquan Brisker is entering the last year of his rookie contract as he is looking at a base salary of $3.4 million for 2025, according to Spotrac. Bleacher Report writer Moe Moton shared every NFL team's one player needing a contract extension before the season, with Moton picking Brisker for the Bears, but his injury last year might play a part in the delay.
"The Bears may have offered Brisker an extension if he continued to perform at a high level for the entire 2024 campaign, but he suffered a season-ending concussion in Week 5. 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. The Bears can offer him a new deal with the anticipation that he continues to perform optimally as their long-term starter at safety."
Will Chicago give Brisker the contract extension?
If it hadn't been for his concussion, Brisker would have secured a third consecutive season of over 100 tackles. He was pacing for the best statistical season of his career and would have most likely secured a contract extension after the season.
Brisker will most likely have to wait until training camp or after the season to get the deal done. Bears general manager Ryan Poles would be smart to get the deal done sooner as he will have more leverage to get a lower price point on the deal versus waiting after the season. At that point, Brisker would just wait until the offseason to get involved in a bidding war.
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Chicago needs to keep as much young talent on defense as possible, especially in the secondary. Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, and Kevin Byard III already make up the strength of the defense. Brisker, at 26, is the focal point of the defense and the center of the future of the defense.
The Bears should eventually get the deal done, but must be cautious about waiting too long to secure one of the top safeties in the NFL.