The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class.
Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We’ll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.
We’re a third of the way through the list with No. 20, Jaquan Brisker, who has a pivotal season coming up after missing most of 2024 with a concussion.
Background
Position: Safety
Age: 26
Experience: 4th season
2025 cap hit: $4 million
2024 recap
Last season was tragic for Brisker, who was on pace for his best year as a Bear before an unfortunate injury sidelined him. Through five games, Brisker had one interception, one forced fumble, one sack, and three tackles for loss. He made the game-sealing interception against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4 and was the glue that held the secondary together.
In Week 5, however, Brisker suffered a nasty concussion against the Carolina Panthers when Tommy Tremble lowered his head while being tackled. Brisker wound up staying in the game but reported experiencing concussion-like symptoms the next day. It was his third concussion in three years, and it took a toll on him. Brisker wound up missing the final 12 games of the season. Interestingly enough, the most activity he was doing was sending out cryptic tweets regarding head coach Matt Eberflus around the time of his firing. Brisker ended the year with 40 total tackles.
2025 outlook
For a while, there was real concern that Brisker may not be able to resume his playing career due to the concussion. Thankfully, he was cleared over the winter and has been a full participant during organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory mini camp. Brisker has also been working out separately with fellow teammates such as Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, doing everything he can to get back to his old self.
If he can stay healthy, Brisker has the chance to flourish in Dennis Allen’s new defense. The Bears’ new defensive coordinator was eyeing Brisker during the 2022 NFL Draft when he was head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Now the two get to work together three years later, and Brisker can become a versatile chess piece in the secondary. It also helps that the entire starting defensive back room is returning for the 2025 season, giving Brisker some familiarity as he works his way back to action.
Big question: What does Brisker’s future look like?
There is so much uncertainty when it comes to Brisker’s future, both with the Bears and potentially beyond. It’s difficult to drill down to one thing. He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract, making the 2025 season a big one for his future. As of now, there don’t appear to be any conversations happening, which is understandable. Brisker has to show he can stay healthy and keep his playing career alive. While Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has dominated the conversation regarding playing after multiple concussions, Brisker is right there with him as far as concern goes. And if he can stay healthy throughout the 2025 season, can he pick up where he left off before the injury? There’s a lot of unknown with Brisker, unfortunately. Both in the short term and long term of his career.
30 Most Important Bears of 2025
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Jaquan Brisker (No. 20)
Reporting by Brendan Sugrue and Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
