As the calendar progresses into mid-February, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles finds himself at a familiar crossroads.
After a season that saw the Bears' defense take massive strides under head coach Ben Johnson, the bill for that success has finally come due. While most of the city is focused on quarterback Caleb Williams’ development, the real drama will unfold on the defensive side of the ball with a youth-infused, core piece: Jaquan Brisker.
The Homegrown Dilemma
Away from injuries, Brisker has been everything the Bears hoped for when they took him in the second round back in 2022. He is the tone-setter -- a hard-hitting, high-IQ safety who finished 2025 with 93 tackles, an interception, and a reputation as the unit’s emotional leader.
However, his rookie contract has expired, and in a 2026 market where safety valuations are skyrocketing and the draft is deep with talent, Brisker is looking for a deal that reflects his status as a premier hybrid defender.
For Chicago, the franchise tag is the most immediate tool in the shed. The projected safety tag for 2026 is expected to land around $20.7 million, and for a team currently navigating salary cap gymnastics to stay flexible, that is a massive one-year hit.
The Case for the Tag
The argument for tagging Brisker is simple: continuity.
The Bears' secondary is already facing upheaval with several depth pieces hitting free agency. Losing Brisker -- a player who knows the system inside out and has developed rapport with those around him -- could cause the entire structure to crumble. Tagging him buys Poles time until July to negotiate a long-term extension that will then lower his 2026 cap hit through a signing bonus, effectively kicking the can down the road while keeping the Super Bowl window open.
The Trade Scenario
The alternative is the "Tag and Trade." If contract talks have truly stalled, Brisker is a blue-chip asset. A team like the Jacksonville Jaguars or Cincinnati Bengals would likely jump at the chance to add a 26-year-old Pro Bowl-caliber safety.
And by trading Brisker, the Bears could potentially secure a Day 2 draft pick (rounds two to three), freeing up nearly $19 million in cap space to pursue a veteran pass-rusher or interior defensive lineman -- a position of need for the roster.
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Poles has shown he isn't afraid to let talent walk if the price isn't right, but Brisker feels different. He is the culture player the front office prizes. As of now, expect the Bears to use the tag as a bridge, but if a desperate contender calls with a high offer Poles can't ignore, Brisker might be the latest star on the move.