10 questions emerging from Chicago Bears win over Carolina Panthers

1. Has Jack Sanborn been better than Tremaine Edmunds for the Chicago Bears?

It is hard to ignore that the defense has been improving in recent weeks. Some of it has to do with getting players back, but at the same time, this is when the biggest free agent signing of the offseason has been out. 

You can argue who has been better, but the fact that UDFA Jack Sanborn has stepped in for Tremaine Edmunds, and the difference has not been noticeable or has been better for the Bears is alarming. 

Per PFF, Sanborn has been better. In the last three games, Sanborn has a 76.3 PFF grade, with 70.2 in run defense and 76 in coverage. Tremaine Edmunds was 53.1 overall in the first eight weeks. He's at 56.5 in run defense and 55.8 in coverage. 

Sanborn has a 13.6% run stop rate, and Edmunds is at 5% in the first eight weeks. Edmunds has allowed 6.9 yards per target, and Sanborn is at 6.6. To be fair, Sanborn is allowing 1.1 yards per snap, and Edmunds is at 0.77

Still, beyond the snaps, it is clear which player has been better on tape. It is Sanborn. What happens if Edmunds returns and the defense gets worse?