Bears rookie Jaquan Brisker has a magnificent game in preseason debut

We finally got to see a game. Sure the Chicago Bears still aren’t playing games that really matter, but watching a game, any game, is significant.

We finally got to see the new-look Bears in action. There were many changes that new general manager Ryan Poles made to the roster. Despite not seeing many of them due to injury or just not being ready yet, it was nice to see some of the pieces in action.

Because it was just the first game, we really didn’t get a long look at the key players. Quarterback Justin Fields only played in 18 snaps.

What we did see was how the backups performed. A lot of Poles’ rookies got extended looks and they looked good. It was a good first step and if they continue to play well the rebuild is on the right path.

One player who definitely shined was Poles’ second-round pick, safety Jaquan Brisker. He is supposed to be a vital part of the defense, starting alongside free safety Eddie Jackson.

Brisker showed that the confidence the Poles and the Bears have in him isn’t misplaced. Playing with the starters he was flying around the ball. He was making plays, big hits, and altering the ball carrier’s runs.

Brisker looked like a seasoned veteran on the field. Yes, he looks like he loves lowering the boom on whoever has the ball. However, one great thing about him is his discipline. We’ve seen other players with a big hit stick who made some dumb moves on their way to making a big hit that would make them popular.

Brisker didn’t do that. He slowed up and made clean tackles instead of going for the big hit. That allowed him to make the play and not have the ball carrier escape. He also pulled up to avoid hits that could have caused a flag to be thrown.

There was a sequence in which Brisker almost single-handedly caused a Chiefs’ three-and-out. On the first play, he crushed wide receiver Skyy Moore for a short gain. On the next, he came around the edge and had another big hit on running back Derrick Gore.

Finally, on third down, Chiefs quarterback Shane Buechele scrambled. Brisker hung back and saw Buechele. He could have gone in and left his responsibility to make a big hit on Buechele, but instead, he saw two receivers to his left. He stayed back, knowing that Buechele would go that way. Sure enough, it happened as he thought and Brisker jumped on the pass. He should have gotten the interception as the ball hit his hands, but a pass breakup was good.

Head coach Matt Eberflus was impressed with Brisker’s performance.

"The tackling, deflecting the ball. I think he should’ve had maybe a takeaway or two. He was high-energy. Man, he likes to hit. I really liked that aggressive style for him, how he’s playing right now."

Another great thing about Brisker is that while he had a great game he remembers the mistakes he made. After the game, he spoke about being anxious and having happy feet early in the game. He talked about Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes baiting him with a hard count. Also, he missed a tackle that led to Kansas City’s first touchdown.

Brisker isn’t satisfied with having a big game. He doesn’t want to rest on his laurels. He wants to be as great as possible.

"They brought me in here to make plays, create turnovers, make big hits, and great tackles and lead them to a championship."

If Brisker continues to perform well and Jackson returns to form Chicago’s defense will be dangerous again.

As I mentioned, Brisker wasn’t the only rookie to perform well. Jack Sanborn, Trestan Ebner, and Dominique Robinson also looked good in their debut. While many criticized Poles’ free agent signings, it looks as if his choices in the draft may turn out to be great. If that is the case, the future looks bright for the Chicago Bears.