Another day, another post about expectations for these Bears. We have already covered the entire offense, as well as the defensive line, linebackers, and corners. 

Now with training camp just a few days away, we're finishing off the series talking about the safeties. I'm excited for this group as I believe Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker could be one of the best safety tandems in the league. 

Let's set expectations for this group. 

Eddie Jackson

The Bears’ defense will go as Jackson goes. The expectation is for Jackson to enter training camp fully recovered and show why he’s the best player on defense. The Bears’ secondary is extremely young and having a solid veteran presence like Jackson will do wonders. 

Jackson nearly set a career-high in tackles and interceptions in 2022, and that was only playing in 12 games. If Jackson is fully healthy, expect him to have an elite season in 2023. 

Jaquan Brisker

I expect Brisker to come into camp confident and emerge as the second-best playmaker on defense behind Jackson. Brisker and Jackson could be one of the best safety tandems in the league for Chicago. 

I expect Brisker to build off of a strong rookie campaign. The Bears' run defense was abysmal in 2022, but that can't be blamed on Brisker. The young safety showed a willingness to meet at the line of scrimmage, I'd just like to see him make more plays on the ball in 2023. 

Elijah Hicks

Hicks saw action in 15 games as a seventh-round rookie in 2022 and showed promising signs. I expect Hicks to build on that campaign and develop into a reliable third safety. Hicks will come into camp and try to hold off Adrian Colbert and UDFA Bralen Trahan. 

Hicks should have no problem holding onto his spot. Expect to see Hicks making plays on special teams in 2023. 

Kendall Williamson

Similarly to Hicks, Williamson is a seventh-rounder who could play a decent amount of snaps immediately. The Bears have two solid starters but not much depth, so Williamson could be handed a large role early. 

I expect Williamson to show in camp why he should've gone before the seventh round. If Jackson or Brisker go down at any point, Williamson could be staring at a starting role. 

The rest

In my opinion, the Bears need one of these depth safeties to step up. A.J. Thomas, Adrian Colbert, and UDFAs Bralen Trahan and Macon Clark round out the group. I expect Trahan to separate himself from the bunch and force the Bears to make a tough decision. 

Jackson and Brisker are obvious locks and Williamson and Hicks probably are safe as well. However, if Trahan shows out this summer, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he beats out Hicks or Williamson. 

This group could benefit from a waiver claim before Week 1. 

Featured image via © Matt Marton | 2022 Oct 13