The Chicago Bears are going to have their roster cut from 80 to 53 in the next 36 hours. One thing that does not get mentioned enough when talking about the cutdowns is the value of special teams. If you are a backup and you cannot play special teams then you are going to be inactive on game day, and teams have to prepare for that.
On the flip slide, a player being trusted on special teams can move them up in the eyes of the coaches. These three players are likely roster locks because of special teams.
3. Chicago Bears LB Jack Sanborn
When looking at the Chicago Bears’ three preseason games, nobody played more special teams snaps than Jack Sanborn. Sanborn played 52 special teams snaps, running on five of the six units. The player with the next most snaps was 41, so you can tell they wanted a good look at Sanborn.
Beyond that, according to PFF Sanborn was the highest graded special teams player on the Chicago Bears during the preseason. If you watched the coverage units that is likely no surprise, but it is nice to see it show up on paper after seeing on the field.
He posted at 84.9 grade, with the next closest at 76.8. He was far and away the best special teams asset in Chicago. He made a few plays on defense but is not going to win a starting job there. What is going to get Jack Sanborn onto the roster is Richard Hightower cheering for him and claiming that he is the ST coaches best asset.