Tag: Dane Cruikshank

Bears S Jaquan Brisker not expected at training camp on time amid contract holdout

Bears rookies will arrive at training camp this weekend, but safety Jaquan Brisker is not expected to be among them amid a contract holdout.

The Chicago Bears rookies will arrive at Halas Hall this weekend to begin training camp but one notable player isn’t expected to join them yet. Rookie safety Jaquan Brisker has yet to sign his contract and appears to be headed for a holdout, according to The Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer. Brisker is the lone member of the team’s rookie draft class who is unsigned.

As Wiederer reports, the two sides are likely at an impasse regarding the amount of guaranteed money in Brisker’s third year of his four-year deal. The hang up is reportedly significant enough to warrant concern that the deal won’t be signed until August at the earliest, according to Wiederer. Brisker is not allowed to practice with the team while he is unsigned.

If a contract holdout does occur, it would be the first one for the Bears since 2018 when Roquan Smith missed most of training camp, resulting in limited playing time when the regular season began. Brisker is projected as the team’s starting safety opposite Eddie Jackson when week one arrives. He was selected with the 48th overall pick in the second round out of Penn State in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Should Brisker miss camp practices, free agent acquisition Dane Cruikshank stands to start in his place. Cruikshank was signed earlier this spring after spending four seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

5 sleepers to watch on defense in Bears training camp

As the Bears head into training camp, let’s take a look at some sleepers on defense you should keep an eye out for this summer.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp next week, which will feature no shortage of storylines. There will be plenty of competition for starting jobs and roster spots.

All eyes will be on some of Chicago’s big-name stars, including Justin Fields and Roquan Smith. But each year, there are a few players for the Bears who fly under the radar and can become household names in training camp.

As the Bears head into training camp, let’s take a look at some sleepers on the defensive side of the ball you may want to keep an eye out for this summer.

Bears 2022 training camp preview: Safeties

We’re taking a look at the Bears safeties and the biggest question facing the group, which features plenty of newcomers.

Chicago Bears training camp is less than a month away, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.

The backend of the Bears defense was a complete liability at times during the 2021 season. But just like the cornerbacks, the safety position is going to look quite different when the Bears get underway in week one. Players like Eddie Jackson and DeAndre Houston-Carson are still around, but the rest of of the safeties are basically brand new. How will the newcomers affect the position group as a whole?

Here is our preview of the Bears safeties.

10 under-the-radar Bears players to watch during training camp

While all eyes will be on some of the bigger names on the Bears roster, here are some under-the-radar players to watch in training camp.

The Chicago Bears kick off training camp in a couple of weeks, where there will be plenty of players fighting for a roster spot and looking to contribute in 2022.

There will no doubt be the big names everyone will be watching — including Justin Fields, David Montgomery, Darnell Mooney, Roquan Smith and Jaylon Johnson. Even top rookie selections Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker and Velus Jones Jr.

But there are a handful of players who also bear watching when Chicago kicks off camp — those players who will be competing for a roster spot and/or starting job.

While all eyes will be on some of the bigger names, here’s a list of some under-the-radar players to watch during training camp.

One player to watch at each defensive position group ahead of camp

Keep an eye out for these defensive players for the Chicago Bears as training camp rapidly approaches.

We’re less than three weeks away from the start of training camp for the Chicago Bears and it will be the first for head coach Matt Eberflus. The former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator is tasked with not only turning the team around, but improving a defense that fell off in 2021 and is undergoing a massive transition this year.

Former mainstays and the 3-4 scheme have all been moved out this offseason. Coming in are younger veterans and impressive rookies to play with holdovers such as Roquan Smith and Jaylon Johnson, hoping to thrive in a 4-3 defense.

Naturally, much of the focus will be on the offensive side of the ball but the defense could be a huge surprise this season, in part due to these individuals you should keep your eye on as camp approaches.

Bears 2022 NFL draft preview: Where does Chicago stand at safety?

We’re breaking down each position for the Bears ahead of the 2022 NFL draft. Next up is safety, which may not be an early priority.

The Chicago Bears are coming off a disappointing 2021 season that ushered in the start of a new era with general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus. The hope is this Ryan-Matt duo will be able to guide the Bears  back to relevance.

With the NFL draft fast approaching, Poles still has plenty of work to do with the current roster, which features some glaring holes at positions of need. Positions like wide receiver, offensive line and defensive back remain huge concerns.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2022 NFL draft. Next up is safety, which may not be a priority early for the Bears.

Details of S Dane Cruikshank’s contract with Bears

The Bears are signing safety Dane Cruikshank. See the details of his contract here:

The Chicago Bears have a new safety in Dane Cruikshank, who figures to serve a key depth role in Chicago’s secondary.

Cruikshank, a former fifth round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, has spent the last four seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He’s played in 44 games, including four starts. Last season, Cruikshank appeared in 14 games with four starts, totaling 43 tackles, one pass breakup and one forced fumble.

Details of Cruikshank’s contract have emerged, and it’s a favorable one. Cruikshank gets a one-year deal worth $1.187 million with $1.047 million guaranteed, according to Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson. Cruikshank also gets a signing bonus of $152,500 and gets a fully-guaranteed salary of $1.035 million.

Cruikshank earned the moniker of “tight end eraser,” and he’s someone that Titans fans have been praising. While Cruikshank will likely be a depth piece at safety, he’s someone who can step in and hang with some of the best when needed.

Cruikshank appears to be replacing the departed Deon Bush, who’s a reliable depth piece and key special teams contributor. Cruikshank joins the re-signed DeAndre Houston-Carson and Eddie Jackson at safety.

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Updated look at Bears safety depth after Dane Cruikshank signing

With Dane Cruikshank joining the Bears, here’s a look at where Chicago’s safety depth stands.

The Chicago Bears signed safety Dane Cruikshank to a one-year deal, which makes him the second safety move in free agency for general manager Ryan Poles.

Earlier this offseason, the Bears re-signed DeAndre Houston-Carson to a one-year deal to serve as depth at safety. But there are still questions about who will start alongside starter Eddie Jackson in 2022. Could Cruikshank factor in?

Cruikshank, a former fifth round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, has spent the last four seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He’s played in 44 games, including four starts. Last season, Cruikshank appeared in 14 games with four starts, totaling 43 tackles, one pass breakup and one forced fumble. He has one career interception that came in 2020.

With the addition of Cruikshank, here’s a look at the Bears’ safety depth:

Bears sign former Titans DB Dane Cruikshank

Dane Cruikshank will not be returning to the Titans in 2022.

Another Tennessee Titans free agent is signing with the Chicago Bears.

According to his agent, former Titans defensive back Dane Cruikshank is inking a deal with the Bears. The terms of his contract are not yet known.

Cruikshank was a former fifth-round pick of the Titans in the 2018 NFL draft. He served as a backup safety and special teams contributor in four seasons with Tennessee.

In 2021, Cruikshank played in sub packages and specialized in matching up with tight ends, where he found success.  In 44 career games (four starts, all in 2021), Cruikshank tallied 65 tackles (one for loss), one interception, two passes defended and one forced fumble.

Cruikshank is the third former Titan to ink a deal with Chicago, joining running back Darrynton Evans and fullback Khari Blasingame.

With Cruikshank gone, the Titans will look to recently-signed defensive back and special teams ace A.J. Moore to help fill in behind starting safeties Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker.

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Twitter reacts to Bears signing safety Dane Cruikshank

The Bears have signed S Dane Cruikshank, also known as the “tight end eraser.” That alone has Bears fans excited about his addition.

The Chicago Bears have signed safety Dane Cruikshank to a one-year deal, adding a valuable tool to their secondary.

Cruikshank, a former fifth round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, has spent the last four seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He’s played in 44 games, including four starts.

In 2021, Cruikshank appeared in 14 games with four starts, registering 43 tackles, one pass breakup and one forced fumble. He has one career interception.

While it’s uncertain whether Cruikshank will serve in a starting role, he carved out a name for himself with the Titans, where he’s been known as the “tight end eraser.” That alone has Bears fans excited about the addition of Cruikshank to Matt Eberflus’ defense.

Here’s how Twitter is reacting to new of Cruikshank joining the Bears.