The former second-round pick grew into a playmaker for the Bears’ young secondary in 2022, starting all 15 games he was active for and compiling 103 tackles and a team-high four sacks. His 73 solo tackles were the third most among all NFL rookies during the regular season.
While Brisker’s stat sheet proves his rookie year was a success, the Pittsburgh native felt his performance last season didn’t meet personal expectations, adding: “just looking at what I did last year, I know that wasn’t me. I could have been better.”
His biggest disappointment was not playing in all 17 games, as he missed Weeks 12 and 13 in concussion protocol. He also dealt with an injury in the preseason, limiting his training camp reps. Brisker said he can’t remember missing a game since his sophomore year of high school and believes “availability is the best ability.”
After finishing out the 2022 season healthy, Brisker went into the offseason with an emphasis on taking care of his body. With more time to himself the last few months, the safety has been able to “get back to the drills that I always used to do,” and focus on eating right and strengthening certain parts of his body to prevent future injuries.
That offseason work included training in California, Chicago and at his alma mater, Penn State. Brisker said he spent time working with three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and fellow Pittsburgh native Aaron Donald along with former college teammates Joey Porter Jr. and Ji’Ayir Brown.
Staying connected to his teammates throughout the offseason was another focus for Brisker as he wanted to keep building on relationships established in the locker room last season. When Brisker was back in Chicago throughout the offseason, he often worked with veteran safety Eddie Jackson, who he grew close with during his rookie season, and saw teammates like quarterback Justin Fields at Halas Hall.
“Just keep building the chemistry, that’s always important because we all have the same goals,” Brisker said. “But it’s even better when you’re working out with each other and obviously you’re having conversations and going to each other’s houses and things like that. It’s also important to train with the best players in the league and just really getting a feel for each other and things like that, always learning from each other and always taking something away.”
While Brisker spent much of the last three months concentrated on football, he knew it would be beneficial to take some time away before…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at News…