When former Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer arrived in the offseason of 2024, he quickly went after one of “his guys” to help the on-field communication of the new defensive system he would be bringing to the team.
Despite being one of only two outside signings ahead of training camp, linebacker Eric Kendricks was brought in to lead the defense having played in Zimmer’s system for seven seasons.
New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is takinga similar approach to 2025.
Early on in free agency, the Cowboys signed Jack Sanborn, a linebacker who played three seasons under Eberflus’ system with the Chicago Bears.
“When Coach Eberflus got the job in Dallas, you’re going through your whole thing after the season of what’s it going to be,” Sanborn said. “It was definitely like if something happens, keep it on the radar. Dallas definitely reached out decently early in free agency. Because of the connection, what [Brian] Schottenheimer is building there and Dallas in general, I couldn’t have been more excited to be a part of this organization.”
While Sanborn neither has the experience that Kendricks brought in 2024, nor is he the foregone starter at linebacker, he does bring a wealth of knowledge for a Cowboys defense that will all be learning around him as soon as OTAs in May.
“It’s about flying around, having an aggressive mindset and getting downhill,” Sanborn said of the Eberflus defense. “But everybody has a job, he’s really big into that. Making sure that not only you know your job, you know why you’re doing your job and by doing your job what that leads to [for] other people.”
“I know what he’s about and what he wants to accomplish. He’s aggressive and he wants to stop the run. He wants to get after the quarterback and he wants to make game-changing plays to get the ball back for the offense.”
Sanborn is one of five linebackers in the room that will be 25 or younger when the season kicks off in September, joining Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau and Brock Mogensen. While competition will certainly be involved, he’s also set on making sure he can serve as a bridge for his teammates to understand the new scheme.
“I’m willing to do anything to help everyone else learn,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re all in this together as one.”
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Nick Harris is the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has experience working on the beat for DallasCowboys.com and previous work experience at Yahoo Sports/Rivals and 247Sports.