The Chicago Bears came up short of extending their magical 2025 season, falling to the Los Angeles Rams 20-17 in their Divisional Round showdown on Sunday night. While the disappointment is sure to linger for fans and players in the coming days, the game may have produced some fond memories for safety Jaquan Brisker.
Brisker is expected to leave Chicago when he hits free agency in March; however, it's been uncertain how much money he will make on the open market when he gets there. The 26-year-old defender may have answered those questions against the Rams as he finished with a team-high 14 total tackles, a sack, and two pass deflections in a game that may have prevented the Bears from bringing him back even if they wanted to this offseason.
Jaquan Brisker Set to Cash In During Free Agency After Performance vs. Rams
Brisker’s game wasn’t only about statistics; it was the timing of his plays. The Bears’ former second-round pick forced the Rams off the field by himself during a three-play sequence in the second quarter when he sacked quarterback Matthew Stafford for a loss on first down, tackled running back Kyren Williams after a six-yard gain on second down, and broke up a pass intended for wideout Puka Nacua on third down.
Pro Football Focus also had a positive review of Brisker’s night, giving him the second-highest overall grade in the secondary at 78.9. Only safety Kevin Byard had a better overall grade (79.6) among Chicago’s defensive backs on Sunday, and Brisker was also a menace in the running game, registering five run stops.
Following the game, Brisker spoke with reporters, and what he had to say made it clear that he realizes his time in Chicago might be over (h/t @ WatchMarquee).
"It's sad because this was a special group. I really care about my teammates and my coaches... I care about the city. You know, who knows what's next? "Jaquan Brisker, Bears Safety
By making plays all over the field, it’s sure to give the Bears second thoughts about letting him walk in free agency. But with Byard likely to be a top priority after an All-Pro season, general manager Ryan Poles might have a limit on how much he’s willing to spend to keep Brisker in Chicago.
This is where the problem lies. Spotrac listed Brisker's market value at $10 million per season coming into Sunday’s game, and that number could have jumped even further, proving against the Rams that he can show up on football's biggest stages. It’s also notable that Brisker had a similar impact in the Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers, making nine total tackles, including five solo efforts, to help Chicago advance.
With a big playoff performance in his back pocket, he has plenty of room to stuff a bigger wallet with what he’s done over the past two games. The projected eight-figure price tag is also a sign his time in Chicago is ending, considering Spotrac estimates Byard to have a $7.8 million price tag.
Paying two safeties is normally frowned upon in today’s NFL, and Brisker may have played his last down in Chicago after Sunday’s big game.