Chicago Bears rookie safety Jaquan Brisker’s holdout ended before it even got started.
According to the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer, Brisker and the Bears are finalizing the four-year deal that will allow the rookie to report to training camp at Halas Hall on Tuesday with the rest of the team. The two sides reportedly came to an agreement on Monday afternoon.
Brisker’s contract status officially became a concern late last week when Wiederer reported the two sides could not come to an agreement, primarily due to the amount of guaranteed money in the third year of the deal, and a holdout appeared imminent. The playmaking safety was set to arrive at camp on Saturday with the rest of the rookies, as well as quarterbacks, but could not report without a deal getting done.
Now, Brisker will get situated with the rest of his teammates once the deal becomes official. Brisker was selected with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Penn State and is a projected starter at safety opposite veteran Eddie Jackson.
With Brisker’s contract out of the way, general manager Ryan Poles can breathe a small sigh of relief before turning his attention to another possible holdout candidate in linebacker Roquan Smith. On Monday, it was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Smith would not participate in camp practices due to his contract status. Smith is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is looking to become one of the highest-paid linebackers in the league.
The entire Bears team reports to camp on Tuesday, with practices officially beginning Wednesday. Brisker will most likely be an active participant, but Smith’s status remains clouded.
