PITTSBURGH — The writing is on the wall for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary. With the 2026 free agency frenzy just weeks away, General Manager Omar Khan isn’t hiding his intentions to overhaul a defense that leaked yards late last season. But the solution might already be waiting in the wings—and he grew up right down the street.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Matt Bowen named Pittsburgh the ideal landing spot for Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker. The move would bring the Gateway High School legend and Penn State standout home to anchor a defense in desperate need of a physical presence.
The Patrick Graham Factor
The connection goes deeper than just a hometown reunion. Newly hired Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham demands versatility from his safeties, specifically a defender who can erase tight ends in the box and disguise coverages pre-snap. Brisker fits that mold like a glove.
In his four seasons with Chicago, Brisker didn’t just play safety; he was a heat-seeking missile near the line of scrimmage. He tallied four interceptions, seven sacks, and over a dozen pass breakups during his rookie contract. Bowen points out that Brisker would immediately upgrade the spot currently held by pending free agent Kyle Dugger.
“Brisker can play over the top in Cover 2, and he would be a disruptive box defender in Graham’s single-high schemes,” Bowen noted. “The Steelers could also target a cornerback in free agency as they try to clean up the secondary.”
Cap Casualties & The Ramsey Dilemma
The math supports the move. Jalen Ramsey’s transition to safety hasn’t been the smooth ride Pittsburgh hoped for. With a staggering $19.5 million cap hit looming for 2026, Ramsey is a prime candidate for a release. Cutting him would free up significant space, allowing Khan to reallocate funds to a younger, ascending player like Brisker without eating any dead money.
Meanwhile, safety DeShon Elliott is fighting his way back from a season-ending knee injury. Pairing a healthy, 26-year-old Brisker with Elliott—or a rookie draft pick—gives Pittsburgh the youth infusion they’ve lacked on the back end.
“You watch the film, and you see a guy who plays with that Pittsburgh DNA. He hits hard, he talks trash, and he backs it up. You can’t teach that kind of motor.”
— Anonymous AFC Scout on Brisker
What’s Next: The Free Agency Window
The legal tampering period opens in mid-March, and the safety market will move fast. Brisker is ranked as ESPN’s 44th best free agent, meaning he won’t come cheap, but he won’t break the bank like a top-tier quarterback. If Khan wants to secure the middle of the field for the next four years, bringing Brisker back to the 412 isn’t just a nice story—it’s the smartest football move on the board.
