Windy City Gridiron
Jaquan Brisker has a huge year in front of him in the final year of his contract.
As we roll along in our series of the 10 Chicago Bears with the most to prove this season, we’ve reached number nine on our list. Number 10 on our list was running back Roschon Johnson. Number nine on our list is on the defensive side of the ball, and it’s safety Jaquan Brisker.
Brisker made the list last year, as he was a year away from a potential contract extension, and it felt like Brisker needed to make strides in his pass coverage in 2024 if the Bears were going to consider giving him a multi-year contract extension.
Brisker responded early in the season by absolutely improving his pass coverage. It looked like he was headed for an improved season in that regard, paired with his ability to play at the line of scrimmage, and give Ryan Poles a decision this offseason to extend Brisker and Kyler Gordon.
Unfortunately for Brisker, a concussion derailed his entire season. Brisker missed the final 12 games of the season last year as he could never clear concussion protocol.
Not only did Brisker have a massive concussion last year, which was his third in as many professional seasons, but which makes one wonder if Brisker’s long-term viability is going to be derailed by his concussion issues.
As we enter 2025, it’s a critical year for Brisker’s future with the Chicago Bears. Let’s start with his health. Through three seasons, Brisker has now missed 16 games and has suffered three concussions. You would have to think that for the Bears to even consider keeping Brisker on the roster, he’s going to have to prove that he can stay healthy.
Brisker is going to have to play all 17 games, or at least close to that, and he absolutely needs to have a concussion-free season. You would have to think that if Brisker suffers his fourth concussion, the Bears would not consider giving him a second contract at all. You would also have to think that if that happens, Brisker would have to consider whether he can keep playing football moving forward.
If Brisker does stay healthy, he’s also going to have to show that he is continuing to improve his play on the field. Brisker is going to have to continue to show that he’s a playmaker around the line of scrimmage. He will need to show that he is the same guy who can force fumbles, make tackles in the backfield, and secure some sacks on blitzes as well.
Brisker has shown he has that ability each of his first three seasons, but we need to see that he continues to improve his pass coverage as well. In Brisker’s first two seasons, when he was targeted in pass coverage, quarterbacks had a passer rating of over 100. Last season, that number dropped to 71.5, but, as we have mentioned before, that was only in less than...
