Bears beat reporter labels rookie as 'most impressive' player during preseason
The future for the Chicago Bears is blurred at the moment, however what is clear is that one rookie has been exemplifying traits that fans remember from some of the franchise’s best defenses. The Bears drafted safety Jaquan Brisker out of Penn State with the 48th overall pick in this year’s draft. Brisker was a […]
The future for the Chicago Bears is blurred at the moment, however what is clear is that one rookie has been exemplifying traits that fans remember from some of the franchise’s best defenses.
The Bears drafted safety Jaquan Brisker out of Penn State with the 48th overall pick in this year’s draft. Brisker was a first-team All American for the Nittany Lions in 2021.
He possesses everything teams look for in a safety. His physicality is constantly on display, refusing to shy away from an opportunity to lay the lumber on opposing ball carriers.
This sequence in the Bears’ preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs is the perfect glimpse into what Brisker will bring to Chicago.
Lined up on the line of scrimmage, Brisker runs across the formation to make the stop. Then, his coverage ability shines on a rangy pass break up. Finally, he lays the wood to stop a receiver dead in his tracks.
The self-proclaimed “takeaway king” also adds elite ball skills to the Bears’ secondary. That is something the defense desperately needs after finishing T-28th in takeaways last season.
One Bears reporter went as far as to say that Brisker has been the most impressive player in camp.
“In search of immediate-impact players, the Bears found a good one in Brisker, the 48th pick in the draft,” wrote The Athletic’s Adam Johns. “His preseason debut, which included ruining a Chiefs possession by himself, earned rave reviews. It was an extension of what he was doing in camp.”
The down side of Brisker’s physicality showed itself in the form of an injury to his right hand, though, he should be ready to play in the regular season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
It’s never fair to compare different eras, but in reminiscing on some of those great Bears defenses Brisker’s physicality and knack for finding the football are exactly what fans had been used to seeing.
Just like Matthew McConaughey said in his Lincoln commercial, “Sometimes you’ve gotta go back to actually move forward.” The Bears hope to do just that with Brisker leading the charge in the defensive backfield.
Featured image via Jamie Sabau / USA TODAY Sports
