The Chicago Bears brought back a familiar face for the defense, signing linebacker Jack Sanborn to a one-year deal. What does the veteran linebacker add to Dennis Allen's unit?
The Bears have strengthened their linebacker room by bringing back Jack Sanborn after his year with the Dallas Cowboys.
Jack Sanborn spent his first three NFL seasons in Chicago. During that time, the Lake Zurich native registered 164 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, five passes defensed and an interception. He played in 48 games and started 19 of them.
This past season with the Cowboys, Sanborn only played six games because of a concussion and groin injury that eventually landed him on IR, ending his 2025 campaign.
The veteran linebacker rejoins a Bears team that has undergone some major changes since the last time he played for the organization in 2024. Some of the defensive starters who were on that roster were Tremaine Edmunds, Kevin Byard III, Jaquan Brisker, Andrew Billings and DeMarcus Walker.
All of those player are gone, but Sanborn will be reunited with T.J. Edwards, Montez Sweat, Tyrique Stevenson, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon to name of few of his defensive teammates.
When comparing Sanborn to the rest of the free agent signings that general manager Ryan Poles has made, the Bears' linebacker doesn't meet the requirement for upgrading the team speed. That hasn't been Sanborn's greatest strength, but that doesn't mean he can't be effective in whatever role the Bears see him playing this upcoming season.
There is plenty of competition in front of him in the linebacker room, and he will have to learn Dennis Allen's defense to earn some playing time.
The Bears signed linebacker Devin Bush to a three-year, $30 million deal and also re-signed D'Marco Jackson to a two-year contract. Chicago also drafted Ruben Hyppolite II in the fourth round last season.
Edwards did fracture his fibula in the wild-card playoff win against the Green Bay Packers, so his recovery process will be something to monitor, but could also present an opportunity for Sanborn to see the field if Edwards isn't healthy.
Sanborn can make a seamless return to Chicago as a key special teams contributor. In his first three seasons with the Bears, Sanborn logged 816 special teams snaps and made 11 total tackles. Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower gets to incorporate an experienced player on his unit this upcoming season.
The Bears' social media team posted on X with a picture of Sanborn and the caption, "The Sandman returns" and had the emoji with steam escaping from the nostrils.
That tweet already has more views than all of the welcome posts for any of the new or re-signed players. Sanborn was and apparently still is a fan favorite in Chicago, and now he has a second opportunity to play for his hometown team.