Jaquan Brisker
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 01: Jaquan Brisker #9 of the Chicago Bears reacts against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field on October 01, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears will inevitably have to make some difficult decisions this offseason, especially as the team is currently navigating through negative $4.1 million in available cap space, according to OvertheCap.com.
Last month, Poles commented on his desire to bring back one safety: free safety Kevin Byard, not strong safety Jaquan Brisker.
“I think Kevin is a special player. I have no problem saying that’s a player that we would like to have back. But again, when you add the other safeties into that mix and all the other decisions we have across the roster — cap restraints, things like that — it will be a challenge, but that’s part of what we do.”
Fast forward to the NFL Combine, and Poles dealt a harsh reality when asked about making decisions on impending free agents like Brisker.
Bears GM Ryan Poles Deals Jaquan Brisker A Harsh Reality
Unfortunately for Brisker, Poles’ latest comments aren’t in favor of a second contract.
“It’s really tough and I know I’ve talked about those tough decisions in the past. I think what changes is when you win, bonds and relationships get deeper. Knowing that right now we sit over the cap, we gotta make some decisions, if that’s cuts, if that’s trades. There’s real relationships of people that gave it up for the Chicago Bears to advance our organization, and they may not be able to stay and that sucks to be honest with you.”
It sucks to see guys, especially someone who’s been a leader on defense like Brisker, leaving during free agency. But it’s the reality of the NFL. Poles could have decided to keep Khalil Mack back in 2022, or even Justin Fields. But he did what he thought was best for the organization. The same will likely happen with the Bears having to decide between re-signing Byard and/or Brisker.
A few hours after Poles’ comments, Brisker tweeted out, “No setbacks🙏🏽
I’m stepping on whoever whenever.🏹🏹#TheStandard”
Quanny B.
No setbacks🙏🏽 I’m stepping on whoever whenever. 🏹🏹#TheStandard
Several fans commented on the post, writing “if u ain’t here week 1 it’s still forever love quanny B,” “You the goat bro gonna miss you,” and “In Chicago or any where else you will always be a Bear and thank you for being apart of changing the #Standard Chicago loves you brotha.”
Poles Acknowledges That Making Tough Decisions is “What Makes This League Beautiful”
Poles knows what he signed up for when becoming the general manager of the Bears, and acknowledged that making these tough decisions is “what makes this league beautiful.”
“But it’s what makes this league beautiful. It’s why we are all here. It constantly gets shuffled up and moved around. It’s a challenge of putting together the best puzzle we can with different pieces. Really difficult, but that’s what we signed up for. We gotta make those tough decisions and they are business decisions. You kinda try to take your emotions out of it and do what’s best for the organization.”
Brisker won’t be the only tough decision the Bears make when looking at who to re-sign. Other key free agents include Nahshon Wright, Andrew Billings, D’Marco Jackson, and CJ Gardner-Johnson.
Either way, Brisker will likely suit up for another team next season.