Brisker named Bears Rookie of the Year

Due to his consistent improvement throughout the season and flashes of playmaking ability, ChicagoBears.com has selected Brisker the Bears Rooke of the Year for 2022.

At the beginning of December, defensive coordinator Alan Williams reflected on Brisker’s growth over the course of his rookie year, which he said was visible in the safety’s attention to detail.

“Starting off, we all knew he was physical, and he would hit and he would run to the ball,” Williams said. “Starting off, it was just that. See ball, get ball. Now I started to see him getting to the ball with a purpose within the scope of the defense and being on the details, and not just running to the football, but running to the football within the scope of the defense.

“So you started to see him being more detailed in knowing not just…some guys just get lined up because, ‘hey, the coach told me to line up here.’ Now he’s getting lined up and knowing the whys and adding his little flair to it, so to speak, in terms of what he was doing. So we started seeing little bits and pieces of growth in that department.”

Brisker also became a force in the backfield of the Bears’ 4-3 defense, tallying four quarterback hits and five tackles for loss. The safety’s versatility allowed for Williams to progressively move Brisker around throughout the season, having him play inside the box, defend slot receivers and send him to blitz.

“It’s about continuing to improve and do a really good job with his blitzing,” coach Matt Eberflus said in mid-December. “He’s a really good blitzer. We like to send him a lot. We’re pleasantly surprised where he is, where he’s grown to. Every time we’ve asked him to do something to get better at, he’s done it.”

Throughout the year, Eberflus often complimented Brisker’s mental and physical toughness while also enjoying the rookie’s desire to get better and learn from coaches and veterans.

Defensive lineman Justin Jones – a fifth-year pro – expressed his appreciation for Brisker during a press conference on Nov. 21. Jones said he felt Brisker never hit a rookie wall and plays with a different speed then most first-year players.

Teammates and coaches took notice of Brisker’s potential since the Pittsburgh native hit the practice field during training camp. Veteran safety Eddie Jackson built a strong relationship with Brisker early in the summer, as the pair often watched film and spent time together away from the facility.

“I’m excited for that, man,” Jackson said on Aug. 24. “That’s…