The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a bold move to bolster their secondary, landing hometown safety Jaquan Brisker on a one-year, $5.5 million deal, according to multiple reports from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport. The news, confirmed on March 12, 2026, marks a significant homecoming for Brisker, a Pittsburgh native and former Penn State standout, who now returns to the Steel City after four productive seasons with the Chicago Bears.
Brisker’s journey to this point is a testament to resilience and consistency. Drafted in the second round by the Bears in 2022 as part of general manager Ryan Poles’ first draft class, Brisker quickly established himself as a reliable starter. Over four years in Chicago, he started all 52 games he played, missing time mostly due to concussions—an unfortunate theme that saw him sidelined for stretches in both 2022 and 2023, and for 12 games in 2024 due to another head injury. Despite these setbacks, Brisker never wavered in his commitment to the game, even brushing off retirement talk after his 2024 injury and opting to press on with his career.
In 2025, Brisker delivered his most complete season yet, appearing in all 17 games and leading all Bears defenders with a staggering 99.91% defensive snap share. He racked up 93 tackles, eight pass breakups, and an interception, showing a knack for being around the ball and contributing in both run support and pass coverage. Pro Football Focus graded him 45th among 91 qualifying safeties overall and ranked him 20th against the run with a solid 79.0 grade. By PFSN’s SAF Impact Metric, Brisker finished 37th in the league with a score of 75.5, further underscoring his value as a do-it-all safety.
Brisker’s cumulative NFL stats are nothing to sneeze at: 342 tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles, four interceptions, and 21 pass breakups. He’s also demonstrated an ability to step up on the biggest stages. In what turned out to be his final game as a Bear—an NFC divisional round clash against the Los Angeles Rams—Brisker logged a career-best 14 tackles, capping off a campaign that helped Chicago post an 11-6 record and return to the postseason for the first time since 2020.
The Bears’ safety room, once a strength, has seen significant turnover this offseason. Not only did Brisker depart, but C.J. Gardner-Johnson also inked a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, and Pro Bowler Kevin Byard left in free agency. That leaves Elijah Hicks as the lone holdover, with Jonathan Owens still a free agent. To fill the void, Chicago signed former Seahawks standout Coby Bryant and ex-Bills backup Cam Lewis, but they’ll likely seek another starting-caliber safety either in the next wave of free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft.
For Brisker, the move to Pittsburgh is about more than just football—it’s about coming home. The 26-year-old, who turns 27 in April, grew up in Pittsburgh and starred at Penn State before making his mark in the NFL. He now joins a Steelers safety group that’s undergone its own transformation. Last season, the Steelers relied on Kyle Dugger, Chuck Clark, and Jabrill Peppers at safety, but all three are now unsigned. Instead, Brisker will line up alongside veteran Jalen Ramsey, DeShon Elliott (who is recovering from a knee injury that cost him the second half of 2025), and the newly signed Darnell Savage. The team also added cornerback Jamel Dean from the Buccaneers, giving Pittsburgh two new full-time starters in their secondary this week alone.
The Steelers are coming off their third-straight 10-7 campaign in 2025, but postseason success has been elusive—they’ve bowed out in the wild card round each of the past three years. That playoff frustration prompted a seismic change at the top, with the franchise parting ways with longtime head coach Mike Tomlin after 19 seasons. In his place, the Steelers turned to Mike McCarthy, the former Packers and Cowboys coach, hoping he can guide the team back to championship contention in 2026.
Brisker’s arrival is expected to bring renewed energy and toughness to the Steelers’ defense. Though he’s had his share of injuries, his recent durability and leadership have not gone unnoticed. According to Mike Garafolo, "Brisker is heading back to his native Pittsburgh, which will be his second NFL stop." The fit seems natural, with Brisker’s hard-hitting style and versatility aligning perfectly with the Steelers’ defensive tradition. He’s shown an ability to make plays at all levels of the field, whether it’s stuffing the run, blitzing off the edge, or dropping back in coverage.
Brisker himself took to social media to express excitement about the new chapter, signaling that he’s ready to get to work in front of family, friends, and a fan base that cherishes defensive stars. The Steelers faithful, known for their passion and high expectations, will no doubt keep a close eye on Brisker’s impact as the team looks to break its postseason drought.
Meanwhile, the Bears face a period of transition in their secondary. The departures of Brisker, Gardner-Johnson, and Byard mean that Chicago will need new faces to step up, and the pressure is on general manager Ryan Poles to find the right mix of veterans and young talent. The addition of Bryant and Lewis offers some stability, but the search for another difference-maker continues.
For Pittsburgh, the combination of Brisker, Ramsey, Elliott, Savage, and Dean gives new head coach Mike McCarthy a wealth of options in the defensive backfield. If Elliott can return to form after his knee injury and Ramsey maintains his All-Pro level, the Steelers could have one of the most formidable secondaries in the AFC. Brisker’s ability to play both safety spots, cover tight ends, and contribute on special teams only adds to his value.
With the 2026 NFL season on the horizon, all eyes will be on how quickly Brisker acclimates to his new surroundings and whether his presence can help propel the Steelers past the wild card barrier. The stakes are high, the expectations even higher, but if history is any guide, Brisker is ready to embrace the challenge head-on.
As the Steelers and their fans look forward to training camp, the addition of Jaquan Brisker provides both a homecoming story and a potential key to unlocking greater defensive success. The AFC North is as competitive as ever, and with new leadership on the sidelines and fresh talent in the secondary, Pittsburgh’s quest for playoff glory is set to begin anew.