Jack Sanborn
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LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 27: Jack Sanborn #57 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears have announced that they are bringing back linebacker Jack Sanborn, per the Bears.
“The Sandman returns😤
”
Sanborn, 25, joined the Dallas Cowboys last year and never quite found his footing with his new team, even though he was still playing under Matt Eberflus.
He quickly became a fan-favorite in Chicago after going undrafted. In 48 games with the Bears, he racked up 164 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, five pass deflections, 4.5 sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
He’s back home, and it’s a one-year deal.
Sanborn also had a message for Bears fans: “Chicago. Jack here. Couldn’t be more excited to be back home and get some more wins with this club. Go Bears!”
Chicago Bears
The Sandman returns 😤
Bears are Bringing Back Jack Sanborn
The battle continues for Sanborn. Just because the Bears are bringing him back doesn’t mean he’ll automatically regain his spot as the starting outside linebacker.
The Bears signed LB Devin Bush from the Cleveland Browns this offseason to a three-year, $30 million deal. He’ll be the starter opposite TJ Edwards.
The real competition lies between Sanborn and D’Marco Jackson, whom the Bears re-signed this offseason.
Jackson had a stellar year filling in for Tremaine Edmunds and Edwards when they were out with injury, and it won’t be easy for Sanborn to regain his starting spot. Noah Sewell was also serviceable in the middle of the defense, but unfortunately suffered a torn Achilles in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Here’s more on Sanborn per the Bears’ team website:
“Sanborn returns to Chicago in 2026 after spending last season with the Dallas Cowboys (2025). Sanborn started five-of-six games played for the Cowboys in 2025, before being placed on Reserve/Injured. Entering the league as an undrafted free agent with the Bears in 2022, Sanborn has appeared in 52 career games (24 starts) with Chicago (2022-24) and Dallas (2025), seeing action in all 17 games for the Bears in 2023 and 2024. Over his career, Sanborn has amassed 183 tackles (118 solo), including 15 tackles for loss, adding 15 total special teams tackles. As a rookie in 2022, Sanborn was named a recipient of the Brian Piccolo Award. A native of Lake Zurich, Ill., Sanborn appeared in 45 career games over four seasons at Wisconsin (2018-21), earning All-Big Ten Conference honors following each of his final two seasons with the Badgers (2020 and ’21), including First-Team recognition in 2021 after registering a career-high 91 tackles, including 16 tackles for loss, fourth-most by any defender in the Big Ten.”
Get to Know More About Sanborn
Bears’ writer Gabby Hajduk had the opportunity to ask Sanborn some questions, so let’s get to know more about Sanborn!
Sanborn’s Mount Rushmore of linebackers are Luke Kuechly, Brian Urlacher, Patrick Willis, and Fred Warner. His favorite part of Chicago is the food, and he’s excited to reunite with Edwards the most out of all the guys.
His favorite away stadium to play in is either Lambeau Field or the Vikings‘ stadium, and if football didn’t exist, his dream job would be a sports commentator.
It’s great to have Sanborn back, and he’ll be a key rotational piece at linebacker who will need to prove his worth once again.