Jack Sanborn has become the forgotten man in the Chicago Bears linebacking corps over the past few months. Part of that comes from his untimely season-ending injury after six strong starts last season. Another part is the massive revamping of the position with new arrivals Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. People aren’t sure what to expect from Sanborn now, especially since he’ll be switching from middle linebacker to outside linebacker. One would think he might feel left out as he’s recovered from his injury.
That doesn’t seem to be the case. There were no signs of such a mentality when Sanborn spoke with Jim Miller and Tom Thayer on Bears Weekly. He was asked about anything he learned from watching the tape of last season and what he will be working on once training camp begins. Sanborn wants to improve his mental reaction speed, which sometimes was a tick slower than needed. Another big thing he’s focused on is turnovers. He failed to force any in his six starts. That has to change, and he also included a message to his defensive teammates about it.
Jack Sanborn wasn’t wrong for saying that.
The Bears defense forced 23 takeaways last season. Thirteen other teams finished ahead of them. That isn’t good enough for head coach Matt Eberflus. Keep in mind his Indianapolis Colts defense forced 33 in 2021. There were many missed opportunities last season for the Bears, and Sanborn was involved in a few of them. If they want to take the next step as a defense, they have to start converting more of those opportunities. More takeaways almost always mean more victories. Nine of the top eleven teams in that category last year made the playoffs.
Eberflus knows this. So does Jack Sanborn. Forcing turnovers was something he did well in college. The challenge this time will be finding a way to do it at a new position. He’s a smart player. Much of his success comes from film study. The transition to outside linebacker might take some time, but it wouldn’t be wise to bet against him. First, he will have to prevent rookie Noah Sewell from stealing the spot out from under him. That battle should prepare him for the long season ahead. Hopefully, he leads the way on the takeaway front.
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I think Sanborn was underestimated and underated last year. No one saw him coming and I believe if not for his injury he would have gotten some turnovers. Even though he’s playing a new position he has more experience than Sewell and I don’t think Sewell can beat out Sanborn unless he’s injured but not head up. Sanborn is the kinda guy every team needs who overachieves and leads by example. I believe Sanborn will be well prepared and he will start the first game of the season
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Secondly, J Sanborn is going to be a beast and the last of his worries is N Sewell. Like it or not, but Sewell is not taking Sanborns’ reps or position.
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