Chicago Bears sign LB Jack Sanborn

Jack Sanborn's one-year signing at $1.215M earns a B- Contract Value Index (CVI), reflecting a depth-piece commitment that fits Chicago's current cap flexibility but offers limited upside for a linebacker operating in a backup or situational role. At that AAV, the Bears are paying replacement-level wages for a player expected to contribute on a rotational basis rather than as an anchor in the middle of the defense—a rational allocation of resources in the preseason for a team sitting at 11-6 and eyeing playoff depth. The contract structure (single year, no guaranteed money implied at that price point) suggests this is a low-risk, low-commitment signing designed to shore up linebacker depth without long-term cap commitment, which aligns with how contending teams operate in the offseason. The CVI sits in the solid-starter-to-backup range because Sanborn's role and compensation don't scream offensive overpayment, but they also don't deliver the kind of bargain-bin value that would warrant a grade in the A range—he's priced fairly for what he provides. With the regular season 91 days away, this is the kind of insurance-policy move that allows the Bears to build depth without gambling significant resources, making it a pragmatic but unremarkable piece of roster construction rather than a franchise-altering decision.