Rookie safety Jaquan Brisker has been a key contributor to the Chicago Bears’ defense in 2022 and made history for the franchise in their loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 16. After sacking two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen in the second quarter of the matchup, Brisker became just the third defensive back in Bears history to eclipse the four-sack mark in a single season.
The two other players who managed to meet this standard were Dave Duerson and Todd Bell, who managed to accumulate seven and four and a half sacks in 1986 and 1984 respectively.
Brisker tied defensive backs Derwin James and Donovan Wilson for the league lead in sacks among players at the position and moved to third place in his rookie class for pass rush production behind Detroit Lions’ stars Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston.
With these impressive numbers, Brisker is cementing himself as one of the best young safeties in the NFL, and a player that could become a cornerstone of the Bears’ defense moving forward. As the team looks to rebuild following their disappointing 2022 season, Brisker should see his role within the defense grow.
A former Penn State Nittany Lion, Brisker was a second-round selection by Chicago in April’s draft and made an immediate impact for the team as an early contributor in Week 1. His tenacious tackling ability and impressive speed made him a highly valuable prospect in this year’s draft class, and the Bears’ front office should see dividends paid for their investment in him for years to come.
Watch for Brisker to continue playing his patented brand of hard-nosed football from the safety position in the last two games of the 2022 season, and for the team to continue relying on his talent for more big plays as they try to salvage what they can of this latest failed campaign.
