Lake Zurich native Sanborn is back with the Bears and getting lots of looks in practice

No matter what happens from here, there's probably no greater honor Jack Sanborn could receive than being named Grand Marshal of the Lake Zurich Alpine Fest parade last month in his hometown.

Now Sanborn is back on the field in Lake Forest, playing for the Bears again after spending a season with the Dallas Cowboys.

While the rest of the Bears got acclimated to new head coach Ben Johnson last fall, Sanborn had sort of a graduate year with Matt Eberflus, since the former Bears coach was defensive coordinator of the Cowboys. Eberflus has since moved on to the 49ers.

So Sanborn is experiencing Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen for the first time and is impressed with the first two weeks of training camp.

“Ben runs a great ship,” Sanborn said. “It's physical, it's intense, but good. Get the boys ready.”

One thing that's stood out about the linebackers so far is how many reps Sanborn has gotten in practice, probably second only to Devin Bush. T.J. Edwards and D'Marco Jackson haven't been on the field much due to injuries, while Noah Sewell and rookie Keyshaun Elliott are on the physically unable to perform list.

Tuesday's post-thunderstorm practice was especially hot and humid, then it was also designed to be the most physical day of camp so far.

“I think it was good for us to get used to it and have a practice like that,” Sanborn said. “We haven't had one of those really tough days with the weather.”

Undrafted out of Wisconsin in 2022, Sanborn spent three seasons with the Bears, logging 19 starts, 14 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Last year, it was time to move on and he opened the season as a starter for the Cowboys. A concussion and groin strain limited him to six games, but he enjoyed the adventure of wearing a different uniform in a new city.

“There are some people there that I was fortunate enough to meet that I'll remember for the rest of my life,” Sanborn said of his time in Dallas. “There are great people in that building. I think the city's really cool as well. It doesn't beat here, but it's a cool place.”

When it was time to look for his next team, Sanborn wasn't overwhelmed with offers, but jumped at the chance to return to the Bears. Any reunion after a year away is bound to feel a little strange at the beginning.

“Obviously, a lot of people around the building are the same,” he said. “I feel very familiar with a lot of people coming back. But it also feels at the same time very new and different. The culture is different. What Ben and Dennis are doing and building is obviously different, so it's exciting.”

The injuries make it difficult to judge where Sanborn stands, since there is no telling who might be back and healthy for Week 1. His experience should help — Sanborn has over 2,000 NFL snaps between defense and special teams. But again, this is his first time with the current coaching staff.

“It's camp, and anything can happen day-to-day in camp,” Sanborn said. “So I'm just trying to make the most of the opportunities I get.”

There have been plenty so far.

mmcgraw@dailyherald.com