The vibes around the Chicago Bears entering the 2025 season are as high as they've been in quite some time. Ben Johnson's hiring and the additions made this offseason have injected this franchise with a boost of positive energy.
With so much attention on the Bears' offense, the return of a starter on the defensive side of the ball has flown under the radar. After missing the final 12 games of the 2024 campaign following his third concussion over the last three years, former second-round pick Jaquan Brisker is back and ready to hit the ground running for Chicago's defense.
Jaquan Brisker Makes Promise to Bears Fans After Third Concussion
"I'm going to continue to play the same way," Brisker said, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. "That was my first time really having a contact injury. He hit his head on my neck, so he kind of just hit his helmet on the right spot. Really just moving on from that."
Concussions are serious injuries and should be treated as such. Fortunately, Brisker took this seriously and met with specialists from the University of Pittsburgh to retrain his body and his reactionary skills. Now that Brisker feels like he's back where he needs to be both physically and mentally, he is ready to return to playing the game he loves.
The former Penn State University standout has been with Chicago since 2022 and has started in all 35 of the games he has appeared in. Brisker has made contributions all over the field when healthy, totaling 259 tackles, six quarterback sacks, three interceptions, and four forced fumbles. There are no questions about his ability to impact the game.
The Bears will have ample opportunity to follow Brisker's progress as he continues to work his way back from a third concussion. Fortunately, there is still plenty of time before the safety and his teammates put their pads on and the hitting starts. Once that day comes, however, Brisker knows he will be ready to lay the wood.
"I want to hit right now," Brisker said. "So, no, I'm not curious. I'm going to play at full speed. I'm going to be a playmaker."