The Pittsburgh Steelers signed safety Jaquan Brisker from the Chicago Bears on a one-year deal while letting fullback Connor Heyward leave for the Las Vegas Raiders, as the team continues to reshape its roster in a pivotal offseason.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are executing a precise roster renovation in 2026, balancing the addition of a proven defensive starter with the departure of a franchise cornerstone’s brother. On March 12, the team signed safety Jaquan Brisker from the Chicago Bears to a one-year, $5.5 million contract while allowing fullback/tight end Connor Heyward to sign a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Brisker Bolsters a Secondary Seeking Identity
Brisker arrives in Pittsburgh as a ready-made starter with four years of experience under his belt. A second-round pick (48th overall) by Chicago in 2022, the Penn State product started 48 of his 52 career games with the Bears, compiling four interceptions, seven sacks, and 342 tackles. His skill set aligns perfectly with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen‘s aggressive scheme, providing a hard-hitting presence opposite versatile veteran Jalen Ramsey and alongside holdover safety DeShon Elliott.
This move follows the recent signing of cornerback Jamel Dean, signaling a clear investment in upgrading a secondary that was inconsistent in 2025. Brisker’s physical style and pass-rushing ability from the safety position offer a unique weapon, especially in an AFC North where quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and C.J. Stroud extend plays weekly. His contract is team-friendly for a one-year prove-it deal, a hallmark of the Steelers’ measured free agency approach.
The Heyward Family Chapter Closes in Pittsburgh
The departure of Connor Heyward carries significant emotional weight. The younger brother of Steelers captain and defensive tackle Cam Heyward, Connor was a fourth-round pick in 2021 who carved out a niche as a utility player and occasional fullback. His exit comes just days after Cam signed a lucrative two-year extension, making the timing particularly poignant for a locker room that values family.
In Las Vegas, Connor Heyward finds a clearer path to playing time. The Raiders, after drafting tight ends Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers in recent years, lack a true fullback. General Manager John Spytek is clearly building a run-heavy offense to support presumptive No. 1 draft pick quarterback Fernando Mendoza. For Connor, this is a career-defining opportunity to become a primary offensive weapon rather than a situational player.
The Aaron Rodgers Question Looms Over Every Move
These transactions cannot be viewed in isolation. They are pieces of a larger puzzle aimed at convincing four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to return to Pittsburgh. Alongside Brisker’s signing and Heyward’s departure, the Steelers have also traded for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and signed running back Rico Dowdle. This flurry of activity paints a picture of an organization in “win-now” mode, desperately trying to assemble a supporting cast worthy of a final championship run for its legendary quarterback.
The AFC North is a gauntlet, and the Steelers’ primary rivals—the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns—have all made significant moves. By fortifying the secondary and skill positions, Pittsburgh is making a calculated bet that its veteran leadership and defensive identity can overcome the offensive firepower of its division. The signing of Brisker, in particular, addresses a glaring need from last season’s playoff exit.
Bears Face a Safety Crisis of Their Own
Chicago’s loss of Brisker compounds an existing problem. The Bears already saw All-Pro safety Kevin Byard depart for the New England Patriots in free agency. Losing two starting safeties in the same offseason leaves a massive talent vacuum in the secondary. The Bears, who possess the No. 1 overall pick, are clearly in a rebuilding phase, while their former division rival in Pittsburgh is loading up for another playoff push.
This trade dynamic highlights the stratification of the NFL. Contenders like the Steelers are swapping starters and proven veterans, while teams like the Bears are shedding salaries and accumulating draft capital. Brisker’s one-year deal is a classic low-risk, high-reward move for a team that believes it can be a Super Bowl contender with the right pieces around Rodgers.
What This Means for the Steelers’ 2026 Season
The Steelers’ offseason is no longer about retooling—it’s about all-in pursuit. The signing of Brisker directly improves the defense’s ability to defend the pass and create turnovers. The loss of Heyward, while sentimental, is a practical football decision; his snaps can be replaced by a more traditional fullback or tight end in heavy packages.
The ultimate variable remains Aaron Rodgers. If he returns, the Steelers have clearly built a more complete team around him—a better receiver in Pittman, a potentially stronger running game with Dowdle, and a more physical secondary with Brisker. If he does not, these moves look shortsighted. For now, Pittsburgh’s front office is acting with the urgency of a team that believes its championship window is open now, with a future Hall of Fame quarterback under center.
The next few weeks will tell the full story. But on March 12, the Steelers made two clear statements: they prioritized defensive reinforcement and accepted that the Heyward era in Pittsburgh, for the younger brother, has ended.
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