Bears could have one more free agent signing up their sleeve before the 2025 NFL Draft and this player has an in-house connection on the staff
One of the more questionable moves made by the Chicago Bears this offseason was opting to let linebacker Jack Sanborn walk and follow Matt Eberflus to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.Sanborn was a fan favorite in Chicago playing as the SAM linebacker behind Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. He was with the team since […]
One of the more questionable moves made by the Chicago Bears this offseason was opting to let linebacker Jack Sanborn walk and follow Matt Eberflus to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.
Sanborn was a fan favorite in Chicago playing as the SAM linebacker behind Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. He was with the team since 2022 and gradually improved year after year in Eberflus' scheme.
But, with a new staff coming in, that means changes are to follow on the roster and Sanborn was clearly someone new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was comfortable letting go.
The only changes made at the position to make up for the loss was re-signing Amen Ogbongbemiga, although keeping him in Chicago was likely special teams coordinator Richard Hightower's decision.
Nevertheless, no real addition has been made to the LB position behind Edmunds and Edwards, which is somewhat concerning at this point in the offseason. Now, the Bears still have some money to spend, and did meet with a few LB prospects at the NFL Combine a few weeks back.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox pointed out one free agent in particular who would be the perfect SAM replacement for Sanborn at a low cost, E.J. Speed.
Speed was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the 5th-round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In his six seasons, Speed totaled 354 tackles, 2.0 sacks, one interception, 12 pass deflections and 27 tackles for a loss. The one concern that keeps Speed still on the market is the fact that he allowed 31 missed tackles since 2023.
Another concern is that he never really developed into a full-time starter until last season, when he started a career-high 15 games. Even still, Sanborn only started 19 of his 48 games in Chicago. The Bears have already signed a similar former Colts defender who produced without many starts in defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo.
Given his size and play-style, Speed fits Dennis Allen's scheme a lot better at the SAM position, and he even has another on-staff connection in Chicago.
"New Bears linebackers coach Richard Smith held the same position in Indianapolis during both of Speed's campaigns as a full-time starter." – Kristopher Knox
Smith was with the Colts working with the LB room in each of the last three seasons before joining the Bears. He's more familiar with Speed's game than anyone in the league. If he can get a word up the chain of command, the Bears front office could consider adding the player coming off a 142 tackle season.
Doing so would cross the LB3 need off the team's 2025 draft board and opens up the possibility of selecting different prospects instead in April.
