Cowboys Land Former 17 tackles Strong Safety Days Before Vikings Game

As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for a pivotal Week 15 showdown against the Minnesota Vikings, the franchise is also turning an eye toward a major offseason priority: stabilizing a defense that has struggled all season. According to league analysts, Dallas is expected to make a serious push for Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker, viewing the four-year starter as an ideal centerpiece for a Cowboys secondary in need of playmaking and leadership.

Brisker has quietly developed into one of the league’s most complete safeties. With more than 300 tackles, seven sacks, four interceptions, and 18 passes defended across his first 48 games, he brings the versatility that modern defenses covet. At 6-foot-1 and over 200 pounds, he can handle tight ends, blitz cleanly off the edge, play deep zones, and disrupt quick throws in space. His combination of physicality and instincts mirrors exactly what Dallas has lacked in the middle of the field.

Because Brisker spent his early years in Matt Eberflus’ defensive system, Cowboys evaluators believe the fit is natural and seamless. Chicago deployed Brisker in the same unpredictable late-rotation looks that Eberflus values, and his downhill run support would immediately address one of Dallas’ biggest defensive weaknesses. A projected three-year, $33 million contract is seen as a realistic path for the Cowboys, who are expected to prioritize young defensive talent rather than older stopgap options.

Brisker has also spoken privately — and now publicly — about the appeal of joining Dallas. In a comment that instantly caught the attention of Cowboys reporters, the 25-year-old safety said:
“Dak Prescott plays with so much heart. If I ever get the chance, I want to be one of the guys who protects him — a safety who gives him the confidence to go win games. Players like Dak deserve a defense that has their back every snap.”
Those remarks have added fuel to speculation that Brisker sees Dallas as a potential long-term home.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer didn’t mention Brisker by name, but he emphasized the urgency of upgrading the defensive backfield. “You can’t win in this league without discipline on the back end,” Schottenheimer said. “We’re evaluating everything — personnel, scheme, communication. The goal is simple: build a defense that complements our offense and gives us a real shot every week.” His comments align with the team’s growing interest in adding a dependable, high-IQ safety like Brisker.

For now, Dallas remains laser-focused on Sunday night’s must-win game. Sitting at 6-6-1, the Cowboys need to win out — and hope the Eagles stumble — to keep postseason hopes alive. Oddsmakers have Dallas as 5.5-point favorites, with analytics models giving them a 70–74% chance of victory. Prescott continues to lead one of the league’s top offenses (29.3 points per game), while the struggling defense must contain rookie QB J.J. McCarthy and a Vikings team trying to avoid elimination.

Whether Dallas ultimately reaches the postseason or falls short, the offseason message is becoming unmistakable: the Cowboys intend to prioritize toughness, versatility, and reliability on defense. And with Jaquan Brisker openly expressing his desire to protect Dak Prescott and anchor a new-era Dallas secondary, the Cowboys may already have their top target in sight