Former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jack Sanborn is quickly making a good impression on the Chicago Bears early in his career. After going undrafted this year, Sanborn earned a spot on the Bears 53-man roster after an impressive training camp and preseason.
With injuries and then a trade sending Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens, Sanborn is getting his chance in meaningful minutes. And his play has drawn a nickname to a Bears legend.
Bears radio announcer Jeff Joniak calls Sanborn “Jack Urlacher” comparing him to Hall of Famer and great Brian Urlacher as Mark Grote notes below:
Jeff Joniak: “Jack Urlacher takes him down from behind!”
Word is, that’s what the players call Jack Sanborn in the locker room. Bears.
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) December 18, 2022
The nickname has apparently caught on with Chicago’s locker room as well. Sanborn has impressed this year, so getting some recognition like this is huge for him and Wisconsin.
However, he has a long ways to go before he can be another Urlacher in the Windy City. But at least he has a potential path.
Sanborn has 64 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits, and 2 sacks in 14 total games with six starts. He did leave Sunday’s Week 15 loss against Philadelphia early on with an ankle injury. With his play in his rookie year, Sanborn has a good opportunity to win a job this offseason.
