Grading the signing: Steelers may have just made their best defensive acquisition since trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick
The Steelers hit a home run on defense with a new safety.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a busy week during NFL free agency, and they may have saved one of their best acquisitions for last. After trading for Michael Pittman and signing other potential, if not probable starters via Rico Dowdle and Jamel Dean, the Steelers made a late-night depth addition at safety.
Signing Darnell Savage to a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum had some believing the Steelers were done shopping in the safety market, but there was still one big fish left to be caught. Well, Pittsburgh reeled him in and didn’t have to use a lot of bait to do it.
Steelers sign safety Jaquan Brisker to a one-year deal worth $5.5 million
The reason why I believe this could be the best Steelers’ defensive acquisition since Minkah Fitzpatrick, is because of the value. The Steelers just signed a Penn State alumnus and Pittsburgh native, who has been wildly productive during his NFL tenure, to a one-year deal worth a mere $5.5 million.
If not for a 2024 campaign that saw him play in only five games, Brisker is probably extended last offseason. Instead, he bounced back in 2025, playing in all 17 games and putting together arguably the best year of his career. For more on that, I spoke with Kole Noble of A to Z Sports Chicago.
What are the Steelers getting from Jaquan Brisker?
“Jaquan Brisker was a second-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2022 and immediately brought fire and energy to the team’s defense from Day 1. Brisker is coming off the best season of his young career after starting all 17 games after missing a total of 16 games during his first three seasons. He is best suited as a box safety where he can sniff out the run, attack the quarterback, and deliver big hits.
“In coverage, Brisker leaves a lot to be desired with a career passer rating allowed of 101.3 and only four career interceptions. Fortunately, there’s a strong market in this day and age for a hard-hitting safety that can play close to the line of scrimmage. That’s where he’s at his best and can be a true impact player.”
Final grade: A
It’s not every day that you find a highly productive hometown product at a position of need, and you get him in his athletic prime and for only $5.5 million. Brisker screams tone-setting safety with enough juice to play over top. He rounds out what now looks to be an impressive secondary in Pittsburgh.
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