CHICAGO — The “Sanborn Star” is officially returning to the Windy City. The Chicago Bears announced Wednesday they reached an agreement with linebacker Jack Sanborn on a one-year deal, bringing the fan-favorite back to a defense where he first cut his teeth as an undrafted underdog.
A Short Trip to Texas and Back
Sanborn, 25, spent the 2025 campaign with the Dallas Cowboys, where he logged five starts in six games before disaster struck. A severe groin injury in early November forced him onto injured reserve, ending his season prematurely. Before the injury, Sanborn looked the part of a reliable starter, but the Cowboys’ crowded defensive room and his recovery timeline made him available for a Chicago homecoming.
Across four professional seasons, Sanborn has appeared in 52 games (24 starts), racking up 183 total tackles and 15 tackles for loss. His return isn’t just a feel-good story for Lake Zurich natives; it’s a calculated move for a front office that just gutted its veteran core.
Reshaping the Second Level
The Bears’ linebacker room looks drastically different than it did during Sanborn’s first stint from 2022 to 2024. General Manager Ryan Poles cleared the deck by releasing Tremaine Edmunds, a move that wiped $15 million off the books. In his place, Chicago aggressively pursued Devin Bush, handing him a three-year, $30 million contract to anchor the middle alongside TJ Edwards.
- Devin Bush: Signed 3-year, $30M deal (2026).
- TJ Edwards: Retains his role as a core starter.
- D’Marco Jackson: Recently re-signed to bolster depth.
- Jack Sanborn: Expected to fight for rotational and special teams reps.
Sanborn’s best production came in 2023, when he started 10 games and posted career highs in tackles (67) and interceptions (1). His rookie year in 2022 remains the gold standard for Bears undrafted finds, as he earned the Brian Piccolo Award after stepping in for a traded Roquan Smith and never looking back.
“This city and this organization gave me my first shot. Coming back here feels like finishing what we started. I’m healthy, I’m ready to hit, and I’ll play wherever Coach Allen needs me.”
— Jack Sanborn, Bears Linebacker
Competition in the Trenches
While Bush and Edwards are the projected starters, Sanborn’s versatility makes him a Swiss Army knife for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. He has the “thumper” mentality required for early downs but has also improved his range in coverage. With 15 career special teams tackles, he also provides immediate value to a unit that struggled with consistency last season.
Expect Sanborn to battle Noah Sewell and Ruben Hyppolite II for primary backup duties. If his previous tenure in Chicago proved anything, it’s that betting against Sanborn usually ends in him leading the team in tackles by December.
