Look, we all love hard-hitting football. We crave those bone-jarring collisions that make highlight reels and leave wideouts thinking twice before cutting across the middle. But when it comes to Jaquan Brisker, the Bears’ no-fear safety, we’re not just talking highlight hits anymore. We’re talking neurological roulette.
Three concussions in three NFL seasons is no longer a red flag — it’s a damn siren blaring from Soldier Field to the league offices. And if you think this is just part of the game, it’s time for a reality check. Let’s break down what the science, stats, and cold hard facts say about Brisker’s future in the NFL and what it really means to play through the pain.
One important disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional. I don’t know the full scope of Brisker’s injury details, and this isn’t a diagnosis. It’s a perspective grounded in public research, historical data, and current findings on NFL concussion trends and risks.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Repeat Concussions Are Common — and Dangerous
Data from NFL concussion surveillance between 1996 and 2007 shows a staggering 29.4% of players who suffer a concussion will get another. Defensive backs like Brisker are at the top of that pyramid of pain, with repeat concussion rates pushing 17.3% and concussion incidence rates sitting around 11.76 per 1,000 athlete exposures, per Mount Sinai research. Translation? The secondary is a concussion minefield, and Brisker’s smack in the middle of it.
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Those who suffer repeat concussions also tend to stay out longer. Median recovery time jumps from 9 to 12 days — but Brisker blew past that timeline with a vestibular concussion that shelved him for four freakin’ months in 2024. That’s not just bad luck. That’s serious neurological trauma.
Concussions by Player Positions during the 2012 and 2013 NFL seasons sourced by FRONTLINE Concussion Watch
Vestibular Concussions: When “Dinged Up” Becomes “Red Alert”
Brisker wasn’t dealing with your average bell-ringer. His injury in 2024 required full-blown nervous system retraining. We’re talking eye-tracking drills, lateral movement exercises, and tennis ball coordination — a rehab regimen more suited for stroke victims than safeties.
He described it himself saying:
“Side-to-side movement, tennis ball catching, and things like that… just trying to track my eyes.”
Jaquan Brisker during June 4th, 2025 Chicago Bears’ press conference.
That ain’t normal. That’s not a bump on the head. That’s your brain saying, “I need a minute”… or four months
Brisker’s Style: High Impact, High Risk
The problem? Brisker doesn’t plan to change a damn thing.
“I’m going to continue to play the same way… I want to hit right now.”
Jaquan Brisker during June 4th, 2025 Chicago Bears’ press conference.
That’s the kind of old-school mentality fans romanticize. But in 2025, it’s also the kind of mindset that shortens careers and screws up lives. Aggressive playing styles mean more hits. More hits mean more sub-concussive impacts. And those, not just diagnosed concussions, are now seen as the real CTE accelerators, per Mass General Brigham and Boston University research.
CTE Isn’t a Buzzword — It’s a Bullet Waiting to Fire
Boston University has diagnosed CTE in 345 of 376 former NFL players whose brains were studied posthumously. That’s 91.7%. Sure, there’s selection bias — families don’t donate the brains of guys who retire healthy and happy. But let’s not pretend this number is meaningless.
Even more terrifying, studies show CTE odds jump 15% for every additional year of play, and 21% for every extra 1,000 head impacts. Not diagnosed concussions — impacts. You don’t need to be carted off the field to be doing long-term damage.
CTE Study on Former NFL Players Brains conducted by Boston University
Tua Tagovailoa, Anyone?
Brisker isn’t the only high-profile concussion story. Remember Tua? Two concussions in five days lit up the NFL like a Christmas tree of PR nightmares. The Dolphins QB became the face of the league’s concussion crisis, and his situation reshaped how we think about return-to-play protocols.
While Tua came back and played well, the shadow of those injuries hasn’t left. He changed his approach. Brisker? Not so much.
Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) sufferes an apparent concussion after hitting his head on the ground while being tackled by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
Is It Time to Talk Retirement?
Let’s get one thing straight: retirement is personal. No one’s saying Brisker should hang it up. But ignoring the possibility? That’s dangerous as hell.
A third of former NFL players think they have CTE, per a massive 2024 survey conducted by Mass General Brigham and reported by NPR. Many also battle depression, cognitive decline, and suicidal thoughts. Some of that stems from concussion history. Some of it comes from untreated sleep apnea, hormonal imbalances, or chronic pain. But they’re all linked.
Brisker says retirement wasn’t even discussed with his family. Good for him. But denial doesn’t reduce risk. Awareness does.
Final Verdict
The Bears have a tough decision to make. So does Brisker. This isn’t about pulling him off the field tomorrow. It’s about what risk management looks like in 2025.
Modified playing techniques? Smarter tackling angles? Limited contact in practice? Hell yes.
Enhanced protective gear? Maybe even position change?
If it keeps him playing and keeps his brain intact, it’s worth a look.
This article is intended for informational and commentary purposes only. All opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of the NFL, the Chicago Bears, or any affiliated organizations. Nothing in this post should be interpreted as medical advice or a recommendation for or against any player actions or team decisions.
I’m not a medical professional. I don’t know the full scope of Brisker’s injury details, and this isn’t a diagnosis. It’s a perspective grounded in public research, historical data, and current findings on NFL concussion trends and risks.