Jaquan Brisker said the Chicago Bears got the steal of the NFL draft back in April. He’s backed up those words since. While he won’t win Defensive Rookie of the Year, it isn’t because he doesn’t deserve it. Playing for a 3-12 team and on a terrible defense makes it unlikely. Yet when separating him from that, it’s obvious the 2nd round pick has been one of their best players on that side of the ball. He has 80 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble. What has really stood out, though, is the four sacks he’s produced. Already he is one of the best blitzing safeties in the league.
Josh Allen found that out the hard way in the 2nd quarter of Sunday’s game. Bringing down the Buffalo Bills quarterback is no easy feat. Brisker did it with little issue. Nobody has talked about it, but the rookie now has a chance to do something no other defensive back in Bears history has done. That is lead his team in sacks. With his dropping of Allen, Brisker has a comfortable lead among his defensive teammates in the category. The next closest is Roquan Smith with 2.5, and he hasn’t played for the Bears for months.
Unless one of their defensive linemen goes on a tear in the final two weeks, the rookie will achieve a very rare bit of history.
Jaquan Brisker would be only the second DB ever to do it.
Based on the best information available, only one other defensive back in NFL history has finished a season leading his team in sacks. That was Jamal Adams in 2020 when he had 9.5 for the Seattle Seahawks. What makes it even crazier is he blitzed 98 times that season. Brisker only blitzed 11 times going into Sunday. The Bears rarely send him, but he finds his way to the quarterback when they do. It isn’t part of the Bears’ philosophy. Still, maybe defensive coordinator Alan Williams should consider weaponizing his young safety more often.
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Either way, GM Ryan Poles deserves kudos here. He identified Jaquan Brisker as a top target from the moment the 2nd round began last April. Snagging him with the 48th pick, which the Bears got in the Khalil Mack trade, feels more and more like a steal. There is no telling how much better he’ll get with more experience in the system and a better defensive line in front of him. This season won’t be remembered for much. Brisker might remember it for a rare personal achievement.
Merry Christmas everyone. Especially you Erik, you deserve it for taking it on the chin everyday.
Kudos to Brisker. While this is obviously a rebuilding year, good defenses just don’t have a safety leading the team in tackles and sacks.