I love it when defensive players play mind games with quarterbacks.
And I enjoy it that much more when a member of the Chicago Bears defense is upping the ante, which is what safety Jaquan Brisker is doing by attempting to goad Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson into throwing it deep when the two teams link up at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.
โI want him to throw it deep this week,โ Brisker said via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. โIf he can, please throw my way. Regardless of [whether] itโs short or long, I want the opportunity.โ
This is a bold stance for Jaquan Brisker to take. In case you are unfamiliar with it, Indy’s quarterback has a cannon for an arm. And it’s not as if Brisker has a long track record of ball-hawking. We’ll get to that in a moment. But first, if you missed Anthony Richardson’s viral Week 1 throw that traveled 60 yards in the air, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered:
Effortless.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 9, 2024
📺 #INDvsGB | 9/15 on FOX pic.twitter.com/elzjLF1KNt
I can’t front. That is a baller throw. It is the kind of throw you dream of your first-round quarterback making. But if Richardson dares to throw it, Brisker is thinking he could be on the receiving end of the pass. Considering that Richardson has a 7.5 percent interception rate in two games this season and the Bears have 24 interceptions in their last 19 games, maybe the math will be in Chicago’s favor this weekend.
(Aside: How cool would it be to have a stadium with an enclosed roof that gives you the ability to have *THAT* camera angle? Just wondering out loud…)
Jaquan Brisker is Confident Going into Week 3
You need the following things in order to play defensive back in the NFL:
- Skills
- Confidence
- A short memory
OK, there are some more things I could probably list. But my greater point here is that Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker has all of those things. And his bravado is on another level. I’m sure that Brisker’s confidence might rub some folks the wrong way. After all, the chatty safety has never been on a winning Bears team. But I love that Chicago’s football team has a mouthy safety who has the talent to back it up. Now, to do it on the field.
BEARS SECONDARY VS. COLTS RECEIVERS: How Do They Stack Up in Week 3?
Of all the Bears defenders, Jaquan Brisker might be among the least likely to snag an interception. Brisker, more known for his hitting and prowess in the box, has just two interceptions in 32 games. I fondly remember his first, which came on Monday Night Football in Chicago’s upset win against the New England Patriots. Heck, Brisker has more sacks (5) than picks (2) in his career. That probably says more about his deployment as a box safety than it does his hands, but that is beside the point.
For what it’s worth, the Colts quarterback has thrown more interceptions (4) than touchdowns (3) this season. With Richardson coming off a three-interception game against the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears defensive backs should be licking their chops coming into this game. And Jaquan Brisker should be one of them.
There is a reason defensive backs aren’t playing the wide receiver position. But still, it would be nice for members of this secondary to get their hands on Richardson’s passes on Sunday. It could be the difference between bringing home a win or returning to Chicago with a second consecutive loss to an AFC South opponent. And if Jaquan Brisker comes away with a pick, I’d bet on him having something to say about it.