Steelers Sign Standout Safety with Pittsburgh Ties

Former Chicago Bears star Jaquan Brisker joins the Steelers' stacked secondary.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:22pm

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed former Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker to a one-year, $5.5 million deal during 2026 free agency. Brisker, a Pittsburgh native who played at Lackawanna College and Penn State, is joining a Steelers defense that already features a talented secondary including Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, and DeShon Elliott.

Why it matters

The Steelers have made a big splash in free agency by signing one of the top safeties on the market, adding a local product with strong ties to the Pittsburgh area. This move strengthens an already formidable Steelers defense as the team looks to make a deep playoff run.

The details

Brisker was selected by the Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft and started all 52 games he appeared in over his four seasons in Chicago. He is known as one of the league's best tackling safeties and will now join a Steelers secondary that is considered one of the best in the NFL.

  • Brisker was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • He attended Gateway High School in Monroeville.
  • Brisker played at Lackawanna College from 2017-2018 before transferring to Penn State in 2019.
  • The Steelers signed Brisker to a one-year, $5.5 million deal during 2026 free agency.

The players

Jaquan Brisker

A standout safety who was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and played college football at Lackawanna College and Penn State before being drafted by the Chicago Bears.

Joey Porter Jr.

A cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers who is part of the team's talented secondary.

Jamel Dean

A cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers who is part of the team's talented secondary.

Jalen Ramsey

A cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers who is part of the team's talented secondary.

DeShon Elliott

A safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers who is part of the team's talented secondary.

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What they’re saying

“The Steelers have made a big splash in free agency by signing one of the top safeties on the market, adding a local product with strong ties to the Pittsburgh area.”

— Andrew Vasquez, Author (yahoo.com)

What’s next

The Steelers will look to integrate Brisker into their defense during the offseason program and training camp as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

The Steelers have bolstered their already strong secondary by signing Jaquan Brisker, a talented safety with local ties to the Pittsburgh area. This move solidifies the Steelers' defense as one of the best in the league and gives them an even better chance of making a deep playoff run in 2026.