This will be a trying offseason for the Chicago Bears as they can't afford to get any decisions wrong if they want to be a part of the Super Bowl in 2026.
There are several free agents for the Bears, including multiple key starters on defense: safety Kevin Byard, safety Jaquan Brisker, cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson, cornerback Nahshon Wright, and linebacker D'Marco Jackson. CBS Sports writer Zachary Pereles is the one free agent the Bears cannot afford to lose.
"The Bears have several pieces of their secondary set to hit free agency, but JaQuan Brisker should be at or near the top of their list of retainees. Brisker had a bumpy 2025 season as a whole, but came into his own and played very well in the playoffs. He's an athletic player who is just 26 years old, and he moves all over the formation, working effectively as a pass rusher and run defender. The coverage needs improving, but his versatility can be very helpful as Chicago builds its defense."
Bears told they need to re-sign Jaquan Brisker
Among all the free agents, Brisker is the biggest question mark on whether to bring him back or not. He had a mixed bag of a season with inconsistent play in pass coverage, but he is a stellar tackler and can create turnovers. Last season, Brisker racked up 93 tackles, eight pass deflections, three quarterback hits, one tackle for loss, one sack, and one interception in 17 games.
Most Bears fans would lean toward Byard, since he was the first to be re-signed and was an All-Pro and seen as a leader on defense, despite some arguing he was inconsistent in coverage. Wright will end up too expensive to bring back; Gardner-Johnson is a toss-up who could depart if Kyler Gordon is healthy again; and Jackson would be a big addition to bring back for depth at linebacker.
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Brisker will be interesting to watch: which NFL teams target him in free agency, and whether the Bears see him as worth the trouble of pursuing. Chicago should sign Brisker only if the price is right and it doesn't prevent them from getting an elite pass rusher.