When the Chicago Bears made their crucial decision to allow linebacker Jack Sanborn to leave via free agency and thus followed it up by extending cornerback Kyler Gordon, they sent a major announcement to their team.
This was a defense that was going to play a lot of nickel, just as they did last year. Gordon's importance was much higher than Sanborn's in this scheme, but the former Bears fan favorite is already finding his footing with the Dallas Cowboys.
“Jack (Sanborn) has been incredible,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer told the Cowboys media recently.
The latest Jack Sanborn praise is no surprise to Bears fans
Schottenheimer went on to give Sanborn his flowers for work ethic, first and foremost, but also the character he's shown as a leader.
"Work ethic jumps off the tape ... him leaning into a couple of the younger backers ... that doesn't have to happen, but he's happy to help which is great," he said. "Jack's a very selfless player that we're excited to have."
This is nothing new to Bears fans who first fell in love with the undrafted gem. Sanborn came out of the University of Wisconsin having not heard his name called but didn't let that stop him from not only earning a spot on the Bears' roster, but becoming a starter as well.
While on one hand it can be sort of a bummer to see him thriving on another team, it's also a positive. Bears fans have to be happy for a guy who was once counted out and made it priority to ensure his name was known.
Having started 19 games in three seasons with Chicago, Sanborn totaled 164 tackles, five pass breakups and an interception. It wasn't a bad way to begin a young career for a guy the NFL told, "better luck next time" right out of the gate.