With the 2026 league year set to kick off on March 11, the Pittsburgh Steelers are once again poised to be major players in both the trade and free agency markets. If recent history is any indication, the Steelers are not sitting back-they’ve already made waves with high-profile moves like bringing in Justin Fields and DK Metcalf, while parting ways with Kenny Pickett, Diontae Johnson, and George Pickens. Now, all eyes are on how they’ll continue to reshape the roster, and one name that’s starting to gain traction is safety Jaquan Brisker.
According to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, Brisker could be a perfect fit in Pittsburgh, and he’s even pegged the Steelers as the best landing spot for the Bears safety. It’s not hard to see why.
Brisker brings a rare blend of physicality and versatility to the back end of a defense. He’s the kind of player who can wear multiple hats-roaming deep in Cover 2 or crashing down into the box as a tone-setter in single-high looks. That flexibility would be a welcome addition for new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who’s expected to bring a more dynamic, hybrid approach to the Steelers’ scheme.
In Chicago, Brisker quietly put together a solid four-year run. He totaled 4 interceptions, 7 sacks, and 14 pass breakups-not to mention 342 tackles, with 12 of those coming behind the line of scrimmage.
That’s not just production; that’s impact. He’s a safety who doesn’t just clean up plays-he creates them.
And here’s where things get interesting for Pittsburgh: as of now, the only safeties under contract for 2026 are DeShon Elliott and Sebastian Castro. That’s a thin group, especially for a team trying to retool a secondary that’s seen its share of struggles. Adding Brisker would be more than just filling a need-it would be a statement that this defense is ready to get aggressive again.
Beyond Brisker, the Steelers are also expected to explore options at cornerback in free agency. That’s no surprise, considering the secondary as a whole is due for a tune-up. But a player like Brisker could serve as the centerpiece of that rebuild-a high-IQ, high-motor defender who can anchor the unit and bring some much-needed bite back to the back end.
With March 11 approaching fast, the Steelers are once again in the spotlight. And if they can land a player like Jaquan Brisker, it could be another big step toward building a defense that matches the physical identity this franchise has always prided itself on.