When a team is in the midst of a rebuild or retool, identifying and developing players who can provide both immediate and long-term success is paramount. For the Chicago Bears, a franchise looking to return to playoff contention, much of their hopes for a strong defense have hinged on the growth of young players. While the Bears have several standout defenders, one player has separated himself in 2024 as the team’s most improved: linebacker **Jack Sanborn**.
Sanborn, a former undrafted free agent who initially joined the team in 2022, has emerged as one of the bright spots of the Bears’ defense. Once a question mark, he has blossomed into one of the team’s most reliable and dynamic defenders. His 2024 breakout season has been a testament to his work ethic, dedication, and the effectiveness of the Bears’ coaching staff in developing talent.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into Jack Sanborn’s journey, his improvement in 2024, and why he’s earned the title of the Chicago Bears’ most improved player this season.
### The Underdog Story: From Undrafted to Starting Linebacker
When Jack Sanborn entered the 2022 NFL Draft, he wasn’t expected to be one of the first names called. A standout linebacker at the University of Wisconsin, Sanborn’s career was marked by consistent playmaking and leadership, but his lack of elite athletic traits left scouts skeptical. He was seen as a solid, but unspectacular, prospect — someone who might not make an immediate impact at the next level.
Undeterred, Sanborn went undrafted and was quickly scooped up by the Bears as an undrafted free agent. Despite the odds stacked against him, Sanborn’s drive and determination earned him a spot on the Bears’ 53-man roster. He played in 15 games during his rookie season and finished with 46 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a strong showing on special teams. Although his performance was solid, he didn’t immediately cement himself as a starter and was still considered a developmental project.
However, Sanborn showed enough promise in 2022 to keep his place on the roster. He was always around the football, displayed a knack for making plays, and showed leadership qualities that were noticed by both his teammates and the coaching staff.
### The 2024 Breakout Year
Fast forward to 2024, and Jack Sanborn has not just improved — he’s evolved into a key player for the Bears’ defense. He’s been named the team’s most improved player, and it’s hard to argue against that recognition. His growth has been evident in every aspect of his game, from his physical conditioning to his football IQ, and it’s clear that he’s taken major strides under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Alan Williams and head coach Matt Eberflus.
Here are some of the key factors that have contributed to Sanborn’s leap forward in 2024:
#### 1. **Enhanced Physicality and Athleticism**
One of the most striking improvements in Sanborn’s game is his increased physicality and athleticism. During his rookie year, he showed flashes of strength and tackling ability, but he sometimes struggled with consistency and lateral quickness, particularly when facing faster, more agile opponents in space.
In 2024, that’s no longer the case. Sanborn has transformed his body, adding muscle mass and improving his agility. His movement has become more fluid, and he’s showing the ability to cover more ground sideline to sideline. His conditioning has improved drastically, allowing him to be more explosive in both pass coverage and when closing in on the ball carrier. Against both the run and the pass, Sanborn is now a much more dynamic and difficult player to beat.
This improvement in physicality has allowed him to more effectively shed blockers, close running lanes, and cover ground quickly in pursuit. His burst off the line has improved, making him more effective at blitzing the quarterback and pressuring opposing offensive lines.
#### 2. **Sharper Football IQ and Play Recognition**
Sanborn has always been known for his football intelligence, but in 2024, he’s taken that aspect of his game to a whole new level. He’s shown a deeper understanding of the opposing offenses, making smarter reads and reacting to plays before they unfold. This awareness has allowed him to be in the right place at the right time more often, a trait that sets apart elite linebackers from good ones.
In particular, Sanborn has become better at diagnosing plays. Whether it’s reading a quarterback’s eyes, recognizing a running back’s cut, or anticipating a wide receiver’s route, Sanborn is now one step ahead. He’s been more effective at recognizing running schemes, closing gaps before the offensive line can set up their blocks, and reading play-action passes. This sharp recognition has made him a better tackler, a more disruptive force in the passing game, and an overall more reliable player.
#### 3. **Improved Tackling and Coverage Skills**
Tackling was an area of strength for Sanborn early in his career, but it wasn’t always as consistent as the Bears would have liked. In 2024, that’s no longer an issue. Sanborn’s tackling technique has improved across the board — from open-field tackles to finishing plays at the line of scrimmage. He’s become a more reliable tackler, making fewer missed tackles and showing more strength when taking on ball carriers.
What’s even more impressive is his progress in pass coverage. While he wasn’t a liability in coverage in 2023, he wasn’t known for being a standout in that department either. In 2024, Sanborn has been more comfortable dropping back into coverage, whether it’s defending running backs in the flat or matching up with tight ends over the middle. His ability to read the quarterback’s intentions and his increased lateral movement have allowed him to be more effective in these situations, forcing incompletions and even snagging a few interceptions.
Sanborn’s newfound ability to impact both the run and pass game has made him an incredibly valuable asset to the Bears’ defense.
#### 4. **Leadership and Consistency**
Sanborn’s improvement isn’t just reflected in his individual statistics. His growth as a leader has been equally important. With the departure of veteran players, the Bears have needed young leaders to step up, and Sanborn has done just that. He’s vocal on the field, constantly communicating with his teammates and making sure everyone is aligned. His leadership on the field has been a driving force for the defense, keeping everyone in sync and focused, especially in critical moments.
Sanborn’s consistency has also been a major factor in his rise. He’s been able to put together string performances week after week, which is a testament to both his physical development and his mental maturity. His ability to be dependable and make an impact on virtually every play has made him one of the most important pieces of the Bears’ defense in 2024.
### The Impact on the Bears’ Defense
The Bears’ defense, which has been rebuilding over the past few seasons, is beginning to show signs of life in 2024. Sanborn’s emergence as a top-tier linebacker is one of the primary reasons for this. The defense has been more aggressive, disciplined, and disruptive, and Sanborn has been at the heart of it.
His ability to make plays all over the field has allowed defensive coordinator Alan Williams to be more creative with his schemes. Sanborn can be used in various roles, from stopping the run to covering tight ends and blitzing the quarterback. His versatility has opened up opportunities for other players, including Tremaine Edmunds, who has also thrived as part of the linebacker duo with Sanborn.
With Sanborn’s improvement, the Bears’ defense is beginning to find its rhythm. The young linebacker has brought energy and stability to a unit that’s often been inconsistent, and his development has created a stronger overall defense. The more Sanborn continues to grow, the more the Bears will benefit from a well-rounded defensive attack.
### What’s Next for Jack Sanborn?
The future looks incredibly bright for Jack Sanborn. If he continues to improve at his current rate, there’s no reason to believe he can’t become one of the top linebackers in the NFL. His growth in 2024 has placed him firmly in the conversation for not only the Bears’ best defensive player but also one of the league’s top young defenders.
For the Bears, Sanborn’s development is a major victory. It signals that their player development programs, particularly under head coach Matt Eberflus, are paying dividends. As the team continues to build around young players like Sanborn, the Bears’ defense should only get better.
In the end, Jack Sanborn’s 2024 season has been nothing short of a revelation. From a long-shot undrafted free agent to the most improved player on the team, his story is one of perseverance, growth, and success. As the Bears move forward, expect Sanborn to be a key figure in their defensive renaissance, and one of the cornerstones of a team on the rise.