Former Penn State football safety Jaquan Brisker completed year four in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. With the new league year fresh, free agent moves from the legal tampering period were officially set in stone with more along the way.
One of these moves is with Brisker. Chicago was unlikely to extend the defensive back beyond his initial rookie contract. The Bears drafted the former Nittany Lions 48th overall in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Entering year five, Brisker joins a new squad: the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers sign defensive back Jaquan Brisker in free agency period
On Thursday, March 12, it was reported that the Steelers signed Brisker to a one-year, $5.5 million deal.
In his most recent season, Brisker played and started in all 19 contests for Chicago, including the postseason. He logged 93 total tackles, eight passes defensed, three quarterback hits, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one interception in the 2025 regular season. In his two playoff appearances, he had 23 tackles, two passes defensed, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, and one sack.
Over his four seasons with the Bears, Brisker totaled 342 tackles, 21 passes defensed, 12 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, seven sacks, four forced fumbles, four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries over 52 regular season games. He started in each matchup as well.
Despite the production, Chicago signing safety Coby Bryant to a three-year deal was a sign that Brisker's time came to an end.
He joins a lively free agent period for Pittsburgh. Alongside a number of re-signings, the Steelers also traded for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., per reports.
Brisker attended Penn State from 2019-21, playing in 34 games and making 21 starts over the three years. He registered 153 tackles, 14 passes defensed, 10 tackles for loss, five interceptions, and one fumble recovery as a Nittany Lion. In 2021, he earned a number of All-American accolades from media, including CBS Sports, On3, Pro Football Focus, The Athletic, and Phil Steele among others. He was an Associated Press second-team All-American that year as well.