Jack Sanborn Bio
Jack Sanborn is an American professional football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 29, 2000, in Lake Zurich, Illinois, Sanborn played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers before launching his NFL career as an undrafted free agent. After spending his first three professional seasons with the Chicago Bears and a year with the Dallas Cowboys, he returned to Chicago in March 2026, where he continues to play in 2025 competition. Standing 6 ft 2 in and listed at 234 lb, he is recognized for his tackling instincts, football intelligence, and leadership at the linebacker position.
Early Life and Background
Jack Sanborn was raised in Deer Park, Illinois, a small community in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Following the death of his father, Paul Sanborn, when Jack was four years old, he was raised primarily by his mother. Sports quickly became a defining part of his childhood, and football in particular offered an outlet that shaped his future. He attended Lake Zurich High School in Lake Zurich, Illinois, where he developed into one of the area’s most productive defensive players.
As a senior at Lake Zurich, Sanborn played in the Illinois State Football Championship and recorded 120 tackles along with three sacks. He was named the Pioneer Press Defensive Player of the Year. Over three varsity seasons, he tallied 296 tackles and 13 sacks, earning a four-star recruit rating and a scholarship offer list that featured several Power Five programs. His production on the field and his leadership in the locker room helped him commit to play college football at the University of Wisconsin.
Path to American Football
Sanborn’s progression from a high school standout to a college starter was steady and well-earned. At Wisconsin, he played in 11 games as a freshman, gaining valuable experience in a Big Ten Conference program known for producing NFL-caliber linebackers. By his sophomore season, he had become the Badgers’ leading tackler, recording 80 tackles along with nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, signaling his readiness to anchor the defense at a high level.
As a junior, Sanborn led the team in tackles for a second consecutive season with 52 stops, adding four tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and one interception. His performance earned him third-team All-Big Ten recognition. In his senior campaign, he posted 91 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and five sacks, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. After that season, Sanborn declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, completing a strong developmental arc from a Deer Park kid to a Big Ten star.
Jack Sanborn Career
Early Career (2022)
Jack Sanborn signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2022, and earned a place on the team’s 53-man roster. Following the in-season trade of Roquan Smith, Sanborn was promoted to starting middle linebacker, a remarkable rise for a rookie free agent. On November 13, in his first career start against the Detroit Lions, he delivered two sacks and 12 total tackles in a narrow 31–30 loss. He started six games as a rookie and finished with 64 tackles and two sacks before a season-ending ankle injury in December. Pro Football Focus later named him to its 2022 All-Rookie Team.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Sanborn’s second and third NFL seasons saw him transition into a full-time starter. After the Bears signed Tremaine Edmunds and T. J. Edwards in free agency, Sanborn moved to strong-side linebacker, where his versatility became a defining trait. In 2023, he started all 17 games and recorded 65 tackles, one interception, one sack, and seven tackles for loss, earning a spot on ESPN’s 2023 All-Youngster Team for players 24 years old and younger.
During the 2024 season, Sanborn appeared in all 17 games with three starts, posting 35 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two tackles for loss. His steady contributions helped anchor a young Bears defense. Following the 2024 campaign, the Bears chose not to tender him as a restricted free agent, opening the door for a new chapter in his career.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2025)
On March 12, 2025, Sanborn signed with the Dallas Cowboys, joining a defensive staff that included former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator and Dave Borgonzi as linebackers coach, both familiar with his skill set. The move reunited him with coaches who had overseen his development in Chicago and offered a clear opportunity to expand his role. During the 2025 season, Sanborn was placed on injured reserve on November 3 due to a groin injury, interrupting his momentum with the team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sanborn is known for his sharp football IQ, dependable tackling, and ability to play multiple linebacker spots. His instincts allow him to read plays quickly, and his coverage skills have improved each season, as evidenced by his 2023 interception total. His familiarity with Eberflus-style defensive schemes makes him a reliable fit in multiple defensive systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments are his two-sack debut start against Detroit in 2022, his 2022 PFF All-Rookie Team selection, and his inclusion on ESPN’s 2023 All-Youngster Team. He also won the prestigious Brian Piccolo Award in 2022, given annually to a Bears player who best embodies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, and dedication of the late Brian Piccolo.
Jack Sanborn Career Wins
While individual game-by-game win totals vary by season, Sanborn has been a consistent contributor on defenses that have produced competitive performances. His career NFL totals include 198 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, one interception, and six pass deflections.
Other Wins & Performances
Sanborn earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2021 and third-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2020, both significant accolades within one of college football’s premier conferences. He also helped lead Wisconsin to multiple bowl-eligible seasons and was a key defensive leader during the 2021 campaign.
Jack Sanborn Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs deep in the Sanborn family. His late father, Paul Sanborn, played college football as an offensive lineman at the University of Oregon, instilling in Jack a love for the game from an early age. His younger brother, Bryan Sanborn, also played linebacker at Wisconsin, continuing the family’s tradition of Big Ten football.
Personal Life
Jack Sanborn grew up primarily under the guidance of his mother after his father’s passing. He remains closely connected to his family, including his brother Bryan, and credits his upbringing in Deer Park for shaping his work ethic. Off the field, Sanborn maintains an active presence on social media and continues to engage with the Chicago-area community that raised him.
2025 Season Performance
Sanborn’s 2025 campaign with the Dallas Cowboys began with high expectations, as he joined a defense led by coaches who knew his game intimately. Before his November injury, he contributed on defense and special teams, providing veteran leadership to a young linebacker group. His placement on injured reserve interrupted an otherwise promising season, and questions about his recovery timeline shaped the Cowboys’ late-season plans.
On March 18, 2026, Sanborn returned to the Chicago Bears on a one-year contract, signaling a homecoming for a player who developed his professional identity in the city. As he works back from injury, Sanborn is expected to compete for a meaningful role in the Bears’ linebacker rotation during the 2025 season, with the potential to log significant defensive snaps. His familiarity with the scheme and the city of Chicago position him well for a productive return to the field.
