Bears bring back Lake Zurich native Sanborn

A familiar face is returning to the Bears’ linebacker room. The team has reached a one-year deal to bring back Lake Zurich native Jack Sanborn.

After leading LZ to the Class 7A state title game in 2017, the 6-foot-2 Sanborn played in college at Wisconsin, then made the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2022.

Sanborn was very productive during his three years with the Bears. He started 19 games and was a regular on special teams, while finishing fifth and sixth on the team in total tackles his first two seasons.

Sanborn signed with the Dallas Cowboys last year and started five games, but his season was cut short by a groin injury suffered in a Week 7 game.

The Bears have already made changes at the linebacker spot. T.J. Edwards suffered a broken left fibula in the playoff game against Green Bay, and should be healthy by the start of next season. Tremaine Edmunds was released and signed with the New York Giants.

Free agent Devin Bush was the significant free agent addition from Cleveland, the Bears re-signed D'Marco Jackson and second-year pro Ruben Hyppolite returns. Noah Sewell suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 17 against the 49ers, so he likely won't be back until later in the season, if at all in 2026.

The Bears also announced the addition of defensive tackle James Lynch, a five-year NFL veteran. The Texas native was a fourth-round draft pick of the Vikings in 2020, spent three years with Minnesota, then the last two with the Titans. Lynch (6-4, 295) has primarily been a depth piece, with his 32% snap percentage last season with Tennessee a career-high.