Jaquan Brisker doesn’t always make it look pretty, but when he’s on the field, the Chicago Bears’ defense feels different.
A second-round pick back in 2022 out of the NFL pipeline that is Penn State, Brisker has developed into the kind of defensive piece that modern coordinators crave -- fast, physical, and versatile enough to be deployed in a half-dozen different ways on any given Sunday.
While his aggressiveness can occasionally hurt him -- he’s been credited with five missed tackles so far this fall -- his impact on tape is undeniable.
Brisker is looking dominant on the field with the Bears' defense
At his core, Brisker is an energy multiplier. Chicago’s defense feeds off his confidence and urgency, particularly in games where key contributors like cornerbacks Kyler Gordon or Jaylon Johnson have been sidelined. Without them, Brisker’s role expands; he becomes both the communicator and the tone-setter, aligning teammates, triggering downhill against the run, and covering tight ends or slot receivers with equal comfort.
It doesn't often show on a stat sheet or on any analytical table, but his presence adds a dynamic element to a secondary that, when healthy, can be one of the NFC’s most competitive.
Few young safeties play with Brisker’s type of range and intent, as well. He’s a blur when closing on ball carriers, and his trigger from depth is among the fastest in the league. That eagerness can sometimes lead him astray -- overpursuit and missed tackles are byproducts of his high-speed style -- but that same mentality is what allows him to make plays most safeties can’t.
He’s equally dangerous blitzing off the edge as he is reading a quarterback’s eyes from the high post, and his ability to disguise coverage pre-snap gives Chicago flexibility in how it deploys him.
What makes Brisker so valuable isn’t just the splash plays-- it’s the way his skill set complements the entire structure of the defense. His athleticism lets defensive coordinator Dennis Allen stay multiple without substituting. Brisker can play deep safety, roll down into the box, cover from the slot, or spy mobile quarterbacks -- all without the unit tipping its hand.
He’s the kind of Swiss Army piece that simplifies complex game plans and allows others around him to play faster.
At just 26 years old, Brisker embodies both the Bears’ short- and long-term vision. He’s not yet a finished product, but the foundation is there: elite athletic profile, physicality, and a football intellect that continues to grow. And for a Chicago defense that has seen its share of inconsistency this season, Brisker remains a reliable spark -- a player whose competitiveness raises the group’s floor even when the results don’t always show in the box score.
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In a league obsessed with versatility, the Bears already have one of the best young examples on the backend in Brisker. Imperfect at times, sure -- but precisely the kind of foundational piece that defenses are built around.