Getty
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz predicted new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and the Pittsburgh Steelers to sign safety Jaquan Brisker in 2026 NFL free agency.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will nearly have a completely new defensive coaching staff for the 2026 NFL season. But that doesn’t mean the team couldn’t once again explore short-term fixes for the secondary. One possibility emerging in the rumor mill is safety Jaquan Brisker.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz predicted Friday the Steelers will sign Brisker in 2026 NFL free agency.
“Last season’s safeties in Pittsburgh are free agents with the exception of DeShon Elliott 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,” wrote Schatz.
“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.”
In 2025, Brisker played 17 games for the first time in his career with the Chicago Bears. He posted 93 combined tackles, including one tackle for loss.
Brisker also had eight pass defenses, three quarterback hits and one interception.
Could Steelers Target Safety Jaquan Brisker?
Schatz appears to see Brisker as a culture fit in Pittsburgh as much as scheme.
A year after the Steelers had their worst statistical defense in 30 years, the unit could use someone that resembles a “Steelers defender.” General manager Omar Khan could find that with Brisker while replacing the team’s unrestricted free agent safeties.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
More Heavy on Steelers
Loading more stories
