Jack Sanborn

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		54	198	4.5	1
2025		6	34	0.0	0
2024		17	35	1.5	0
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Chicago Bears locked up linebacker Jack Sanborn at $1.2M annually, earning a B+ CVI that represents solid value for a rotational defender. While Sanborn profiles as a rotational player rather than an every-down starter, his production tier justifies this modest investment for a team looking to build linebacker depth behind their core starters. At this salary threshold, Chicago is essentially getting a proven NFL contributor who can step into expanded roles when needed, without the financial risk that comes with betting on unproven talent or aging veterans. The deal structure makes sense for both sides — Sanborn gets security while the Bears retain a reliable piece who has already demonstrated he belongs at this level. This is the type of smart, under-the-radar move that helps teams build sustainable roster depth without breaking the bank, giving Chicago a dependable linebacker option who can contribute on defense and special teams.

Performance Analysis

Jack Sanborn grades at a D as a linebacker whose early career promise in Chicago has not fully materialized. His 198 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 15.5 tackles for loss across 54 games show a player who has been productive in stretches, particularly during his 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Bears where he was a full-time starter. However, a move to Dallas in 2025 resulted in just six games, suggesting he may have been the odd man out in a new defensive scheme. Sanborn was an undrafted free agent who exceeded expectations early in his career, but the trajectory has flattened and the D grade reflects a player who needs to find the right fit to recapture his earlier form. Now with the Bears again, familiarity with the system could help him reestablish himself as a productive starter.

Fan Sentiment

A familiar-face depth signing that adds nothing transformative to Chicago's linebacker corps. Five headlines covered the reunion, framing it as a low-risk, low-reward roster move. Sanborn's prior Cowboys stint produced minimal impact, signaling he's firmly a depth-only option. Bears fans see this as a placeholder signing rather than a genuine commitment to improving the position. Expect Sanborn to compete for a special teams role and perhaps a roster spot, nothing more.