Jaquan Brisker: Adding Leadership to the Chicago Bears' Defense

Brisker's vocal nature extends beyond the practice field. He recently took to Twitter to criticize New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones over his contract, expressed dissatisfaction with the ejection of Chargers safety Derwin James, and even found humor in Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson excluding his own quarterback, Kirk Cousins, from his top five quarterbacks list.

When asked about his involvement in the defense during OTAs, Brisker made it clear that he's ready to take on any challenge in his second season. His response left no doubt about his capabilities and his desire to contribute in every way possible:

"Yeah, just playing both sides, free safety, strong safety, being moved around, being involved, playing low, playing high. Getting more blitzes, hearing my name called more—things like that I've been doing all my life. Nothing should change. They should utilize me. Like, really utilize me. Like a bar of soap, like literally, like Dove. Use me, you know what I mean? Like, literally. So just use me as I've always been used. Move me around. Let me help my teammates, let us win. That's why I'm here. To win games, make playoffs, and win a Super Bowl."

In Brisker's rookie season, defensive coordinator Alan Williams deployed the versatile safety from Penn State across various positions on the field. According to Pro Football Focus, Brisker primarily played in the box (371 snaps), followed by 289 snaps at free safety, 150 snaps on the line of scrimmage, 100 snaps at slot corner, and 43 snaps as the wide corner.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 200 pounds, Brisker displayed his physicality and exceptional contact balance throughout the season. Maneuvering in the box or near the line of scrimmage requires tremendous skill and agility, with players often colliding with one another. Brisker consistently showcased exceptional spatial awareness in these congested areas, maintaining his footing and making impactful plays—an attribute that deserves recognition.

Brisker's rookie campaign featured notable achievements, including 104 total tackles, four sacks (leading the team), one interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 15 games played. Among rookie defensive backs, his 14 stops (tackles that constitute a "failure" for the offense) ranked second, just behind Jalen Pitre's 27.

Brisker's combination of physicality, contact balance, and versatile playstyle makes him a key presence on the Bears' defense. As he continues to develop and make his voice heard, Brisker's leadership qualities are sure to play a significant role in the team's success.