Steelers predicted to sign Chicago Bears’ top free agent

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Feb 27, 2026 3:54 PM ET

The Chicago Bears may struggle to keep some of the most consistent veteran contributors across the roster this offseason.

Given that Ryan Poles and the Bears currently sit upwards of $5.3 million over the cap, there are going to be some difficult decisions to make and some players may wind up elsewhere in 2026.

Homegrown star safety Jaquan Brisker may be one of those players.

Pittsburgh Steelers linked to signing Chicago Bears’ Jaquan Brisker

NFL: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker (9) celebrates a defensive stop against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Few positions could see more turnover on the Bears’ roster than at safety, where Brisker, Kevin Byard, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson are all slated to become unrestricted free agents next month.

Over at ESPN, analyst Aaron Schatz suggested an ideal free agent signing for each team, including the Steelers inking Brisker to a deal when the new league year begins.

“Last season’s safeties in Pittsburgh are free agents with the exception of DeShon Elliott,” Schatz writes for ESPN. “And, if you want to consider him a safety, Jalen Ramsey. That’s why the Steelers need to attack this packed safety free agent class.

“Brisker can play deep or in the box, and he’s a hard-hitting safety who will fit the Steelers’ defensive personality. He missed 12 games in the 2024 season due to a concussion, but he had at least 90 combined tackles in each of his three healthy NFL seasons. Over his career, Brisker has recorded seven sacks, four interceptions and four forced fumbles.”

Last season, Brisker had a strong season, producing 52 total tackles with one sack and one interception, but after being chosen No. 48 overall by the Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft, the former Penn State standout could be on cusp of a Keystone State return or be playing elsewhere in 2026.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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