The Chicago Bears may be facing difficult decisions regarding payroll and personnel this offseason.
The future of Jaquan Brisker could lie in the balance should the 26-year-old safety decide to remain in Chicago. With many of the Bears' defensive players set to depart due to free agency, Chicago's secondary will be in need.
The Production is Real
Brisker was drafted by Chicago in the second round back in 2022, and he's shown great promise since his arrival. Through his first four years in the NFL, Brisker has recorded 342 tackles, 214 of which were on his own. In 2025 alone, he added 93 tackles and eight pass breakups, reinforcing his value as a full-time defensive presence.
General manager Ryan Poles and the Bears front office may have plenty of salary cap gymnastics to perform this year, but in 2026, this is the case for not only a few teams, but a third of the league. Brisker is coming off his four-year rookie contract, which was worth almost $7.5 million. This is the time to extend. Plain and simple.
Poles has spent the last two years building his team around Caleb Williams and the offensive side of the ball. Now, with the offensive successes of 2025 under their belt, it's time to turn their attention to the defense. The foundation is in place, and Brisker has his rightful place among them. Finding a homegrown talent that has the capability to perform at a high level isn't something a team just stumbles across; it's the kind of relationship you must do right.
Brisker is ripe for an extension; that much is clear. Continuity and leadership from a veteran already familiar with the system is what the Bears should want, and Brisker is among the top candidates to receive such a contract. Why draft and develop a young talent only to see him walk in free agency just as he's on the threshold of greatness?
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He isn't a luxury piece. Brisker's a 26-year-old starter entering his prime at a position that is already forcing turnovers. If the Bears are serious about building sustainable success, this is the type of player you pay before the price climbs even higher.