Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will love Dallas' latest free agency decision as defense lands breakout candidate
The Dallas Cowboys are adding more defensive talent through free agency on Wednesday. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the team is signing linebacker Jack Sanborn to a one-year deal. Sanborn played with the Chicago Bears the first three years of his career and now follows none other than Matt Eberflus to Dallas. The new Cowboys defensive coordinator […]
The Dallas Cowboys are adding more defensive talent through free agency on Wednesday. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the team is signing linebacker Jack Sanborn to a one-year deal.
Sanborn played with the Chicago Bears the first three years of his career and now follows none other than Matt Eberflus to Dallas. The new Cowboys defensive coordinator is likely ecstatic about the acquisition as it will allow him to have a second-level defender who is well-acquainted with his scheme.
Additionally, Sanborn is quality depth at a unit with question marks surrounding LB DeMarvion Overshown, who will be battling back from injury next fall and might not be ready to go Week 1.
Jack Sanborn is a legit breakout candidate for the Cowboys
Seeing the Bears opt out of tendering Jack Sanborn was a surprise and blow to the entire fanbase. Sanborn has become a fan favorite in Chicago, even if he was limited in his role behind Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards.
Sanborn still managed to log 235 defensive snaps in 2024 while appearing in all 17 games. As an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin, Sanborn carved out a real role for himself starting in 2022 but a new coaching staff coming in might have signaled the end of his time with the Bears.
Given his experience on special teams and his impact in a limited defensive role, other teams should be interested in seeing what this guy can fully become when given a lead role. When you watch the tape, Sanborn constantly pops out and should be a breakout player with a new team.
Linebacker shaping up nicely for Dallas
This is a move I really like from the Cowboys. Linebacker was a secondary need for the team considering Overshown's health status and the fact that we have seen limited playing time from Marist Liufau, who was promising yet played only 47% of the defensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference.
In Eberflus' single-gap defense, linebacker play is highly important to the defensive success. Adding Sanborn will ensure the Cowboys can play a physical brand of football when they go with three linebackers while also providing a special teams weapon.
Sanborn's arrival suggests the Cowboys are unlikely to bring back Eric Kendricks, who they acquired last year in an effort to bring in a veteran who knew Mike Zimmer's defense. Though I expect Sanborn to have a lesser role, he's this year's version of that with Eberflus.
Dallas Cowboys pull the trigger on controversial trade but there’s a very good reason to believe they will make it work
Low-risk gamble that might pay off.
