The Chicago Bears have some work to do this offseason. Finding a new left tackle is a big need, and adjusting the wide receiver room amid DJ Moore trade rumors is also a possibility.
But the more important issue to address is the defensive side of the ball. There's a big pass rusher need, but in the secondary, the Bears are dealing with Kevin Byard III, Jaquan Brisker, and Nahshon Wright all hitting free agency.
Of those three defensive backs, Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports is urging the Bears to re-sign the 6-foot-1, 204-pound Brisker, electing to keep the 2022 second-rounder over the veterans in Byard and Wright.
Bears urged to re-sign youngest of 3 free agent DBs this offseason
"The Bears have several pieces of their secondary set to hit free agency, but Jaquan Brisker should be at or near the top of their list of retainees," Pereles writes.
Keeping Brisker is the move the Bears should make, as the versatile young defensive back is coming off a great playoff showing this year.
In two games, Brisker had two passes defended, one sack, and a remarkable 23 tackles with 13 solo to go with one tackle for loss and one quarterback hit. And in pass coverage, Brisker allowed just 57 yards on 10 attempts for a 67.5 QB rating.
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He might not have had the 2025 regular season he was hoping to, but he secured an interception, his fourth in four years (one each season), added eight passes defended, one sack, and 93 total tackles.
While Byard might be better, and Wright might be the more important position, Brisker is younger than both and has shown his high-flying versatility in the playoffs.
All three defensive backs are important players for the Bears, but thanks to Brisker's age, only 26 years old, and his versatility, he's the exact kind of player that the Bears should try to bring back instead of the older Byard or a potential one-hit wonder in Wright.
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