Bears LB Jack Sanborn ready to get 2024 season started

Like any football-gene guy, Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn’s offseasons are short.

“When it’s all over, you definitely get away for a little while,” Sanborn said. “But especially when we’re getting close to when we all have to report [for the offseason program], you definitely get that itch sooner or later to get back out there with the guys. You go from being with them every day, seven days a week to not seeing them for awhile. It’s definitely exciting times when it starts rolling up again.”

Sanborn was the guest of honor as the winner of the team’s Ed Block Courage Award on Tuesday — though perhaps upstaged at the luncheon at Manzo’s Banquets in Des Plaines by Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, the 101-year-old daughter of Bears founder George Halas and herself the guest of honor wherever she goes.

But Sanborn already is looking forward to the offseason program as part of a defense that has high hopes in 2024. The Bears return 10 of 12 starters (including nickel back Kyler Gordon) and led the NFL in scoring defense over the last eight games of the 2023 season.

“Expectations are high. Expectations should be high,” said Sanborn, a 2022 undrafted free agent who played in all 17 games last season, with 10 starts. “We want to be the best defense in the NFL or one of the best defenses in the NFL. And I think with the coaches and players we’ve got, we definitely have an opportunity to do that.”

Sanborn said his optimism is not just on defense, “but as a team” after the Bears went 7-6 in their final 13 games following an 0-4 start. But the defense is expected to lead the way, especially early.

“Any time you can have guys that understand what’s going on,” Sanborn said. “We had so many guys come in right at the beginning of last year. Not much continuity. But then to finally have it click and guys start playing well — to have that going into next year . . . it’s definitely exciting and I think everyone’s excited to get back after it and grow from where we left off.”

2024 Bears free agency sidebar

Bears free agency news

Bears

Bears trade QB Justin Fields to Steelers for conditional 2025 6th-round pick: source

By Jason Lieser and Patrick Finley

 

Bears

How new Bears WR Keenan Allen can help likely draft target Caleb Williams

By Patrick Finley

 

Bears

Bears to sign safety — and Simone Biles' husband — Jonathan Owens

By Patrick Finley

 

Bears

Caleb Williams in line to be Bears' next QB of the future with Justin Fields gone

By Patrick Finley

 

Bears

Stockpiling playmakers such as RB D'Andre Swift only will help Bears — no matter who plays QB

By Jason Lieser

 

Bears

Bears trade for Chargers 6-time Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen, giving up 4th-round pick

By Jason Lieser

 

Bears

WR Darnell Mooney's storybook rise with Bears ends as he heads to Falcons

By Jason Lieser

 

Bears

With QB in spotlight, Bears' defense can't be ignored

By Mark Potash