Coming into this season, most would’ve agreed that safety Jaquan Brisker was one of the top extension priorities looking toward 2025. He’d become one of their most reliable defensive backs, showcasing terrific versatility. Things were going well through the first month. Brisker was arguably off to the best start to his career. Then, a collision with Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble changed everything. Brisker was knocked out of the game with a concussion. It was hoped he’d be back within the next week or two.
That didn’t happen. In fact, it still hasn’t. Now, according to head coach Matt Eberflus, it won’t happen again this week. Mind you, Brisker suffered the injury on October 6th. That means he has been out a whole month. It would be one thing if this were a knee, ankle, or hamstring issue. The fact it’s a concussion keeping him out this long raises serious red flags about his well-being, both in the short and long term. Forget an extension. Brisker may face the possibility of not playing football again at this rate.
It also puts the Bears in a difficult spot about the future of that position.
Safety was far from a thought when looking ahead to the 2025 off-season. Kevin Byard was signed for two years, and Brisker was entrenched as the other starter. Depth was the only question mark for GM Ryan Poles to consider. If this concussion issue persists, the Bears must consider pivoting elsewhere. It’s cold and calculated, but Poles is duty-bound to do what is best for the team. He can’t gamble on Brisker’s long-term health, which means he needs to find somebody else.
Chicago has four picks in the first three rounds, including two 2nd round picks. Obviously, the offensive and defensive lines will be a heavy focus. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Bears plucked a safety somewhere in that range. Early projections have eight safeties ranked in this class’s top 100 overall prospects. If Jaquan Brisker doesn’t rebound soon, don’t be shocked if Poles decides to dabble in that group next April. Hopefully, it won’t come to that.
