The Chicago Bears could be headed toward one of the more difficult decisions of their offseason, and ESPN has already projected how it may unfold.
In its 2026 NFL free agency preview, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz predicted the Pittsburgh Steelers will sign Bears safety Jaquan Brisker to a projected three-year, $33 million deal.
Schatz wrote that “Brisker can play both deep or in the box, and he’s a hard hitting safety who will fit the Steelers’ defensive personality.” He noted his versatility and physicality as major selling points.
From Chicago’s perspective, Schatz’s prediction feels very real.
Brisker is entering free agency after four seasons with the Bears. His production speaks for itself, but so does the financial reality facing general manager Ryan Poles. The Bears are currently projected to be over the 2026 salary cap. That means difficult roster decisions are coming.
When healthy, Brisker has consistently produced at a high level. He recorded at least 90 combined tackles in each of his three healthy NFL seasons and finished 2025 with 93 total tackles, 52 solo stops and an interception.
Brisker closed the season with arguably his strongest performance. In the Divisional Round against the Rams, he recorded 14 tackles and a sack, consistently flying around the field and making his presence felt in both the run game and as a blitzer.
His strong finish to the season left many fans hopeful that he would return. But the reality is that the Bears simply may not be able to keep everyone.
Bears Facing Secondary Turnover
Chicago’s secondary is undergoing significant change. Both Brisker and veteran Kevin Byard are hitting free agency, creating uncertainty at safety.
Cornerback depth is also an issue as Nahshon Wright, Nick McCloud, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson are free agents as well. This could force the Bears to remake much of their defensive backfield in a single offseason.
Brisker has been a tone setter since arriving in 2022. His ability to play downhill in the box, blitz off the edge and rotate into coverage has made him one of the defense’s most versatile pieces.
However, he has also dealt with concussion issues. This includes a stretch in 2024 that sidelined him for 12 games. That durability history adds another layer to the evaluation.
If another team is willing to meet or exceed a $33 million valuation, Chicago may have to pivot to re-signing other players in their secondary.
Bears Cap Reality May Force Tough Call
The Bears are entering the offseason in the red against the salary cap, though they have flexibility through restructures. Even so, committing significant money to one safety could limit their ability to address other needs across the roster.
Poles has emphasized building sustainably rather than overspending to plug one hole. With multiple defensive starters set to hit the market, spreading resources across positions may take priority over retaining one player at market value.
ESPN’s projection doesn’t guarantee Brisker is gone, but it underscores the reality. Chicago values what he brings to the defense, but other teams with more cap space could be willing to spend more to land him.
And that could make this one of the most important decisions of the Bears’ offseason, one that will shape how they approach the rest of their moves.
Bears Tabbed to Lose $33M Playmaker to Steelers in ESPN Free Agency Prediction