Brisker Remains Unsigned Despite Big Chance With Chicago Bears

With the start of training camp approaching fast, the Bears are missing one of their biggest off-season additions. Safety Jaquan Brisker, selected from Penn State with the 48th overall pick, is among 10 draft picks who remained unsigned at the start of the day on Saturday.

All 32 first-round picks have signed, including the Bears’ Kyler Gordon, are under contract and expected to get a complete experience in their first NFL camps. Brisker is one of six second-round picks who are in danger of missing camp time during their rookie seasons.

It’s an awkward situation for first-year general manager Ryan Poles but nothing new for the Bears. Linebacker Roquan Smith, arguably the Bears’ best player entering the 2022 season, held out after being selected with the eighth pick in 2018. Smith didn’t sign until August 13, and as a result came off the bench in the first two games of his career.

The Bears overlooked the need to improve the cast around second-year quarterback Justin Fields to use their highest picks on Gordon and Brisker. Poles went with that strategy to give head coach Matt Eberflus an improved defense after the Bears ranked 22nd in points allowed last season.

Gordon, who played four seasons at the University of Washington, is penciled in to start alongside fellow cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the Sept. 11 season opener against San Francisco. The Bears will use the exhibition schedule to determine a starter at strong safety if Brisker misses too much time.

Dane Cruikshank, who started four games for the Tennessee Titans last season, joins Bears’ practice-squader Michael Joseph on the list of those getting opportunities behind Brisker. But the hope is Poles gets a deal with Brisker before he misses too much time.

There’s no doubt Brisker was disappointed to fall out of the first round. While Gordon was signed to a four-year, $8.68-million rookie deal that guarantees $3.49 million, Brisker is in line for a package of about $7 million, with less than half guaranteed. The difference in negotiations centers on the third-year guarantee, according to the Chicago Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley and other reporters.

Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis picked one spot ahead of Brisker by the Washington Commanders, was given $110,991 in third-year guarantees. New Orleans cornerback Alontae Taylor, selected immediately after Brisker, received no third-year guarantee.

It’s hard to imagine such a small difference creating acrimony between a team and a player who is receiving a big opportunity. But strange things happen every year at the start of NFL camps.

Smith, entering the final year on his rookie contract, presents the most intriguing contract situation that Poles inherited from Ryan Pace. He is due to earn $9.735 million under his fifth-year option and in line for free agency if he doesn’t sign an extension.

He’s believed to be seeking a deal similar to Darius Leonard’s five-year, $98.5-million package from the Indianapolis Colts. It is unclear if the Bears’ new regime values Smith that highly. He was the best player in a weak defense last season but his performance arguably regressed from previous seasons based on the grades given him by Pro Football Focus.

Smith has given no indications he will hold out for a new deal. The Bears’ rookies and quarterbacks were due to report to Halas Hall on Saturday, with the first practice scheduled for Wednesday. They need to hit the ground running, as they have exhibition games against Kansas City and Seattle scheduled in a six-day period that starts August 13.