The Chicago Bears entered the 2025 offseason with two-thirds of their starting linebacker corps locked in. That third spot, however, appears to be up for grabs, and third-year pro Noah Sewell could be primed to take it. The Bears selected Sewell in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the No. 148 overall pick.
Injuries have hindered his progress over his first two years, but Sewell may get a legitimate chance to start at strongside, or SAM, LB for the Bears, and his teammates have faith in him.
Bears LB Tremaine Edmunds Sends Clear Message on Noah Sewell
Noah Sewell in Line to Compete for Bears Starting LB Job
Sewell’s potential opportunity – which must be stressed, given how early in the offseason program the Bears are – comes after former starting SAM Jack Sanborn followed ex-head coach Matt Eberflus, who is now the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
Starting linebacker Tremaine Edmunds said he would not know about the position battle, but that he has the utmost confidence in what Sewell brings to the table.
More than that, Edmunds is “excited” to see what Sewell can do.
“Noah’s a baller, for sure. I think what he’s doing with his body this year, too, you see major changes in that, and that just speaks on his work ethic and how important it is to him, you know what I mean?” Edmunds told Clocker Sports during OTAs last week. “I think if you put yourself in position to have success, you’re going to get success. He’s working hard; weight room, on the grass, all that type of stuff.
“His ability to make plays, obviously, that sticks out as well. His mindset and all that type of stuff, being a young guy, that sticks out as well. So, I’m excited to see what he do, for sure.”
Sewell has played in 22 games in two seasons.
He missed four games as a rookie and six games in 2024, logging 13 total tackles and 2 forced fumbles across both campaigns. He has also been a core special teamer, seeing an 81% snap share in 2023 and a 62% share last season, per Pro Football Reference.
Noah Sewell Could Face Competition From Speedy Rookie
Sewell’s greatest competition for the starting SAM job could be rookie Ruben Hyppolite II, the Bears’ fourth-round pick in this year’s draft.
Hyppolite is smaller than Sewell, but is extremely fast and prepared to fill any role.
When asked about his production in college, which had been questioned after he spent five seasons at Rutgers, Hyppolite credited his teammates’ ability to make plays. However, he also made it clear that he maximized his opportunities.
“I played Mike and Will in college. We had a great D-line my entire career there. So, big boys ate a lot when I was playing. But I was just about – it was about me just being a leader and going out there and playing, doing my best, doing my job. When the plays came, they came, [and] I made the plays,” Hyppolite told Clocker Sports earlier this month.
“When I had the opportunities to make plays and do what I had to do, I did them, and I don’t regret it,” Hyppolite said. “I just took my opportunities and ran with them.”
His next opportunity could be to challenge Sewell for the Bears’ starting SAM LB job.