The Chicago Bears added to their offense on Tuesday, but their defense saw its latest significant departure. Chicago already cut veteran defensive end and starter DeMarcus Walker in February, and they made a similar decision with linebacker Jack Sanborn to kick off March.
Sanborn – a native of Lake Zurich, Illinois – was originally an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin in 2022. He was on a three-year, $2.5 million contract.
Bears Set Stage for Jack Sanborn’s Exit Ahead of Free Agency
Jack Sanborn Made Good With Hometown Team
“The #Bears are not tendering RFA linebacker Jack Sanborn, per source,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on March 4. “Their starting Sam linebacker the past two seasons also has seven starts as an MLB, when he had 71 tackles (six for loss) and three QB hurries. He’s now set to hit free agency.”
Sanborn was a fan favorite and “starter” on the depth chart, but not in playing time.
He played all three spots in the Bears’ 4-3 defense. However, his playing time never exceeded 39% of the Bears’ defensive snaps and fell to a career-low 22% in 2024, per Pro Football Focus.
Sanborn departs with 19 starts in 48 games played. He has 164 total tackles, 5 pass deflections, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery in his career.
The Bears’ heavy nickel usage and Sanborn’s game kept him in more of a “super sub” role.
ENTER SANDMAN
📺: #CHIvsHOU on NBC pic.twitter.com/Oj5XlxavVN
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 16, 2024
Bears LB Depth in Focus After Decision on Jack Sanborn
If Sanborn does leave, the Bears will be thin at linebacker behind starters T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds.
The Bears have 2023 fifth-round pick Noah Sewell, 2023 undrafted free agent Carl Jones, and they signed former Kansas City Chiefs reserve Swaze Bozeman. They have 25 games of experience with zero starts between them.
The Bears have been fortunate that Edwards has not missed any time since he signed in 2023.
Edmunds has missed just two games, and their reliance on those nickel looks has minimized their need to lean on a third linebacker.
With seven picks in the 2025 NFL Draft – four in the top 100 – and the fourth-most projected cap space, the Bears can address linebacker in multiple ways. Edmunds is still just 26 years old and has two years on his contract. But Edwards turns 29 in August and is on an expiring deal.
Off-ball linebackers have been de-emphasized in terms of priority.
Perhaps that makes it easier for the Bears to replace Sanborn – if he does not return – and fill out their depth behind Edmunds and Edwards this offseason.