The Chicago Bears are expected to let safety Jaquan Brisker walk in free agency this offseason, per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. Bears GM Ryan Poles has expressed a preference for keeping veteran safety Kevin Byard III, a call that pushes Brisker toward the open market for his second NFL contract.
Brisker, 26, was a second-round pick out of Penn State in the 2022 NFL Draft. Byard, 33, posted an NFL-best seven interceptions last season. Poles has made his priority clear, and the Bears appear unwilling to pay both safeties at market rate.
Why the Chicago Bears Could Not Keep Both Safeties
The Chicago Bears cannot carry both Brisker and Byard at full market-rate deals this offseason. Poles confirmed the team’s preference for Byard, which signals the salary cap math does not work for both players. With Byard coming off an NFL-leading seven interceptions in 2025, he commands serious money. Brisker becomes the odd man out in Chicago’s defensive backfield.
Seven interceptions from a single safety in one season is a rare output at any age. Poles and the Bears front office view Byard’s turnover rate as a bigger asset than Brisker’s youth and upside heading into 2026. That choice reflects where the front office places its trust: on what a player has done, not what he might do next.
A deep safety who generates turnovers at Byard’s clip affects how opposing quarterbacks attack the middle of the field. His ball-hawking ability at the back of a two-high shell is hard to replace. Losing that production would hurt Chicago’s defense more than losing Brisker’s athleticism at the spot.
“Bears GM Ryan Poles said the team would like to retain safety Kevin Byard III, a potential move that likely means Brisker will test free agency for his second contract,” ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported. Poles did not publicly shut the door on Brisker, but his language around Byard made the pecking order obvious.
When a GM names one player publicly and goes quiet on another, the roster direction is rarely unclear. Cronin covers the Bears closely, and her framing carries weight. Based on her reporting, Chicago is not expected to make a serious push to keep both safeties this spring.
One counterpoint: Brisker is only 26 and entering what should be his best years at safety. A team focused on long-term defensive building might argue that locking up Brisker at a fair second contract is smarter than paying a 33-year-old, even a productive one. The Bears, though, appear to be betting on Byard’s track record over Brisker’s projected ceiling.
Key Facts in the Chicago Bears Safety Situation
Here is a fast look at the core details driving this decision, drawn directly from ESPN’s Cronin report. Each point reflects what has been confirmed, not projected.
Poles publicly stated a desire to retain Byard, the veteran safety, heading into the 2026 offseason.
Brisker, the 26-year-old Penn State product, is expected to test free agency for his second NFL contract this spring.
Byard, 33, led the entire NFL with seven interceptions during the 2025 season.
Brisker was selected by Chicago in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Cronin first reported the Bears’ preference for Byard over Brisker in this offseason cycle.
If this plays out as reported, Chicago loses a young, athletic safety in Brisker while keeping a proven ball-hawk in Byard. The Bears will need to address the depth chart at safety through the NFL Draft or added free agency signings. Chicago’s defensive backfield plan for 2026 now hinges on how Poles fills the gap Brisker leaves.
From a cap standpoint, not pursuing Brisker’s second contract frees up flexibility. That space could shift toward other defensive needs or toward locking up Byard on a deal that fits a 33-year-old’s market value. The draft strategy for Chicago in April will likely reflect this opening at safety, with Poles possibly targeting a Day 2 defensive back to step into Brisker’s role.
Brisker hitting the open market gives other NFL clubs a shot at a 26-year-old former second-round pick at a position many teams covet. For fantasy football managers tracking Chicago’s defensive unit, Byard’s return as the primary ball-hawk in the Bears’ secondary is now the more reliable constant heading into the new season. The Bears have a defined path at the position. Whether that path holds depends on how the rest of free agency shakes out for Poles and his front office.
Frequently Asked Questions: Chicago Bears Safety Situation
Is Jaquan Brisker leaving the Chicago Bears?
Brisker is expected to test free agency this offseason. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported that Bears GM Ryan Poles has expressed a preference for retaining Kevin Byard III, which makes it likely Brisker will seek his second NFL contract on the open market.
Why are the Chicago Bears keeping Kevin Byard over Jaquan Brisker?
Byard, 33, led the NFL with seven interceptions in the 2025 season. Poles appears to value that proven turnover production over Brisker’s youth and upside. The Bears also cannot realistically carry both players at full market-rate contracts given salary cap constraints.
When was Jaquan Brisker drafted by the Chicago Bears?
Brisker was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Penn State. He is 26 years old and entering free agency for the first time in his NFL career.
How many interceptions did Kevin Byard have in 2025?
Kevin Byard III recorded seven interceptions during the 2025 NFL season, the most of any player in the league that year. That output directly influenced Poles’ decision to prioritize Byard over Brisker heading into the 2026 offseason.
Marcus Cole is a former college quarterback who has spent over 12 years covering the NFL as a sportswriter. After playing four seasons at the collegiate level, he transitioned to journalism and quickly earned a reputation for breaking down complex play designs in plain English. His work has been featured in regional sports publications across the South, and he has covered six Super Bowls from the press box. Marcus specializes in offensive scheme analysis, quarterback evaluations, and draft coverage.
