'Seems the favorite' - Cowboys' quiet free agency signing already trending toward paying dividends after first OTAs practices

As usual, the Dallas Cowboys' free agency in March was a very quiet one. The front office did pull off multiple trades and signings for former first-round picks, but each of them was a low-cost signing in an effort to acquire depth. 

However, one of the quietest signings was that of linebacker Jack Sanborn. With only three starts in 2024 for the Chicago Bears, many brushed off Sanborn's acquisition as not important. 

Well, it's time fans start thinking about him as a first-team linebacker, at least early in the season. 

According to Calvin Watkins from Dallas Morning News, OTAs showed there's an open competition for the middle linebacker spot between Sanborn and former first-rounder Kenneth Murray. 

"Sanborn, the free agent pickup, seems the favorite," Watkins wrote. "Murray, acquired in a trade, might surprise in training camp to make this a close race."

Sanborn has a natural inside track for the job considering he's already familiar with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' scheme having been in Chicago the past three years. 

But it's not only familiarity her has on his side. According to A to Z Sports' Bears expert Kole Noble, Sanborn consistently stood out on film and was a breakout candidate for 2025 before he left Chicago in free agency. 

"Seeing the Bears opt out of tendering Jack Sanborn was a surprise and blow to the entire fanbase," Noble wrote in March. "Sanborn has become a fan favorite in Chicago, even if he was limited in his role behind Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. . . When you watch the tape, Sanborn constantly pops out and should be a breakout player with a new team."

For the Cowboys, the one-year deal worth $1.5 million could pay dividends early on. Sanborn will have to fight for it in training camp but so far he is looking like the top Mike on the team. Expect him to start at linebacker alongside Marist Liufau.

However, the position will be shaken up in November when the Cowboys get DeMarvion Overshown back from injury.