The Chicago Bears did not have many positives on the defensive side of the ball in 2022. Well, the team didn't have many positives on the offensive side of the ball either, to be fair. 

If there was one area of the Bears' defense that wasn't putrid in 2022, it was the secondary. While the team was at the bottom of the league in sacks and rushing yards allowed, the pass defense was middle of the pack. 

In 2023, the pass defense could actually turn into a strength. Whether or not that happens will largely hinge on one second-year player. 

The Athletic NFL staff recently picked one breakout candidate for each NFL team. 

For the Bears, writer Kevin Fishbain selected defensive back Jaquan Brisker. Brisker started 15 games as a rookie and put up impressive results. The second-round pick earned a respectable 67.0 grade from PFF and finished with the second-most tackles on the team. 

Regarding Brisker, Fishbain offered the following analysis:

The flashes were there for last year’s second-round pick, like his one-handed interception on “Monday Night Football” and his team-high four sacks. Brisker had typical rookie miscues. The size, athleticism and nose for the ball are all there, but sometimes he needed to be better in run defense. With Eddie Jackson alongside him and an improved pass rush — it can’t be worse than a safety leading the team in sacks, right? — in front of him, Brisker should take that second-year leap thanks to his physical traits and a better understanding of the scheme and NFL offenses. 

It is quite hilarious that a rookie safety led the team in sacks, by the way. 

Nevertheless, it seemed like Brisker was near the ball on every play as a rookie. As Fishbain pointed out, Brisker should only play better with the return of Eddie Jackson and an improved pass rush. 

The additions of Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards, and Andrew Billings should all greatly improve the run defense. The pass rush has not received as many reinforcements, but Rasheem Green and DeMarcus Walker should surely be better than the 2022 options. An improved pass rush and run defense will take much pressure off of the secondary.

 With the way Jackson was playing before getting hurt in 2022, it would not be surprising to see the veteran and Brisker develop into one of the best safety tandems in the league. 

Featured image via © Mike Dinovo | 2022 Dec 24