Noah Sewell

Bears LB Jack Sanborn Expected To Be “Full Speed” For Training Camp

By Ben Levine | at June 27, 2023 9:24 pm

Jack Sanborn was an unexpected contributor for the Bears last season, with the undrafted rookie getting into 14 games. An ankle injury ended his rookie season prematurely, but it sounds like the linebacker will be good to go for the start of training camp. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Sanborn is expected to be “full speed” when the team gathers for training camp next month.

Sanborn ended up making the Bears roster out of the preseason, and he was eventually elevated to the starting lineup when Chicago moved star Roquan Smith. When all was said and done, the rookie ended up starting six of his 14 appearances last year, finishing with 64 tackles and a pair of sacks. Pro Football Focus ranked him 41st among 81 qualifying linebackers, and they handed him one of the top grades at his position for pass rushing.

Sanborn’s recovery from his season-ending knee injury extended into minicamp, forcing the second-year player to the sideline. As a result, rookie fifth-round pick Noah Sewell got a chance to work with the starters. While the Oregon product seemed to impress during his initial practices, coach Matt Eberflus was quick to point out that the starting gig still belongs to Sanborn.

“We’ll see where he goes,” Eberflus said of Sewell (via Biggs). “With rookies, it’s always ‘Know what to do first.’ So he knows his assignment so he can do it fast. He’s getting better at it. We love his instincts. He’s a very instinctual player.

“And so is Jack. Jack is a very instinctual player, plays multiple positions for us. But Jack will be the starter there going into (training camp) and then we’ll see what Noah can do to press him.”