Jaquan Brisker Reportedly Expected To Hold Out From Training Camp

Training camp is almost at hand for the Chicago Bears. Rookies are expected to report to Halas Hall on Saturday, July 23rd, to begin preparations. GM Ryan Poles and contract maestro Cliff Stein managed to sign ten of the team's eleven draft picks. All will be in the building when the deadline arrives. Unfortunately, it looks like the last one that remains unsigned isn't planning to do so anytime soon. That is Jaquan Brisker. The 2nd round safety out of Penn State had a strong spring for the Bears, making positive impressions across the board. Coaches are excited about the prospect of him joining their retooled defense. However, those hopes may have to wait. According to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune, Brisker isn't likely going to join his teammates on Saturday.

Not only that, but there is a strong possibility he could hold out for weeks to come.

"Rookies and quarterbacks will begin reporting to Chicago Bears training camp at Halas Hall on Saturday. But second-round pick Jaquan Brisker doesn’t figure to be among the early arrivals as he waits to sign his rookie contract. Barring significant developments in the coming days, according to sources, Brisker’s holdout could extend past the full team’s reporting date next week and has the potential to last into August... ...It is believed one of the main snags in contract negotiations centers around the amount of guaranteed money the team is willing to offer for the third year of Brisker’s four-year deal."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teRoWcebmzY&t=52s&ab_channel=ChicagoBears

Jaquan Brisker situation is likely hampered by a fellow safety.

The Houston Texans drafted Jalen Pitre out of Baylor 37th overall. They signed him earlier this year for $8,954,436 over four years. No less than $7,028,376 of that is fully guaranteed. That is 78% of the contract. Conversely, Bryan Cook was taken by the Chiefs 62nd overall. His contract only has $3,108,247 of a total $5,847,142 fully guaranteed, or just over 53%. It seems the Bears want to pay something closer to Cook's deal with half of it fully guaranteed. Brisker and his agency believe he deserves something closer to Pitre. It is the sort of situation that is easy to understand. In a physical game like football, where injuries can happen without warning, players must try to get every guaranteed dollar they can. Jaquan Brisker is a violent player. He knows this. If he puts his body on the line for the Bears, he wants to ensure he has as much financial security as possible. He isn't the only rookie doing this. Over a dozen draft picks remain unsigned, including several 2nd round picks. The Bears aren't strangers to this situation either. Roquan Smith did the same thing back in 2018. He held out for weeks into training camp and didn't return until August 13th. That didn't seem to hamper him too much. He still finished the year three tackles shy of Brian Urlacher's rookie record. If Brisker is good, then such a holdout won't derail him. It is merely an unfortunate distraction.