The Chicago Bears are making roster moves ahead of the start of free agency next week.
Tuesday saw the Bears add their first new starting offensive lineman as the team traded for guard Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams. The Bears are absorbing the remaining money owed to Jackson, a sign that they view the former Detroit Lions' Pro Bowler as an answer to one of their offensive line needs.
The Bears weren't done with roster decisions.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that the Bears are not tendering a contract to Jack Sanborn. The decision means that Sanborn will indeed reach free agency next week.
The #Bears are not tendering RFA linebacker Jack Sanborn, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 4, 2025
Their starting Sam linebacker the past two seasons also has seven starts as an MLB, when he had 71 tackles (six for loss) and three QB hurries. He’s now set to hit free agency. pic.twitter.com/G88lbFMcJO
Chicago Bears News: Jack Sanborn to hit free agency
Sanborn, an Illinois native, quickly became a fan favorite with the team after serving as the team's middle linebacker towards the end of the 2022 season. Sanborn spent the last two seasons as the starting SAM linebacker, but his opportunities were limited, considering how often the Bears were in nickel. Sanborn totaled 35 tackles with the Bears last season including 1.5 sacks and 2 tackles for loss.
Joining the Bears as an undrafted free agent, there is no question that Sanborn has proved he is deserving of a spot on an NFL roster. In fact, given the inconsistent play from Tremaine Edmunds this past season, many Bears fans were clamoring for Sanborn to take over as the starting middle linebacker. Above all else, the NFL remains a money business and that type of decision wasn't going to be made given how much money the Bears have poured into their linebacker combination of Edmunds and T.J. Edwards.
The decision to move on from Sanborn could be an indicator of two things. The first is that new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen expects to play a lot of nickel formation next season. That isn't a grand conclusion to make considering most modern defenses play primarily out of the nickel formation, but nonetheless, it's a reason why the Bears would be comfortable moving on from Sanborn.
The other, in coordination with the first point, is that the Bears are preparing a contract extension for Kyler Gordon. Allen was not shy about talking about the lofty expectations he has for Gordon, who thrived as the Bears' nickel cornerback last season. Given those expectations, it would stand to reason that letting Sanborn walk speaks to the increased role Gordon will have in the Bears' defense for the long term.