The Chicago Bears have done a few facelifts to some of the position groups this past offseason, and one of those was linebacker. The Bears have brought in a few new faces via free agency and added another in the draft, so let’s look at this room and how it shakes out not just in 2026, but in 2027 and beyond as well. Here are the seven key names in the linebacker room and an assessment of their future in Chicago.
Jack Sanborn: Fans have celebrated the return of one of their favorites, Jack Sanborn,
this past offseason. Sanborn has good instincts, but isn’t much of a pass defender and is, what I like to call, a “two down thumper.” Great against the run, liability against the pass. Sanborn saw his special teams snap counts increase from 43% in 2022 as a rookie, to 66% in 2023, to 84% in 2024. The Bears brought Sanborn in for special teams. He also has $0 guaranteed on his contract, so it would not be surprising to see him end up on the practice squad if Richard Hightower believes they have enough help on special teams. I see no reason why Sanborn remains in Chicago in 2027.
Noah Sewell: Sewell played very little in his first two seasons in Chicago, but finally got opportunities in 2025 after Sanborn left, which was largely due to injuries. A former 5th-round pick, many draft analysts thought Sewell would convert to some sort of rushing linebacker as they weren’t sure if he could work as an off-ball linebacker at the NFL level. The Bears kept him as a true LB, and Sewell always showed limits in his game. Sewell is entering the final year of his contract and tore his Achilles tendon late in the season. It would not surprise me if Sewell and the Bears reach some sort of injury settlement and he fails to make the 53-man roster.
Ruben Hyppolite: While it’s certainly way too early to write off Hyppolite, it’s also hard to really have significant expectations for him, even though he’s only entering year two. Hyppolite was a healthy scratch for multiple games last year. He has plenty of speed, but struggled in college and last year working through blocks. If Hyppolite doesn’t beat out Keyshaun Elliott, who would be as low as LB5 or even LB6 if he falls behind Sanborn. I know the consensus board has been a little controversial, but Hyppolite was picked about 140 spots ahead of his consensus spot. It’s hard not to see this as a reach, and one year into his career, it still feels that way. I expect Hyppolite to be on this team for the next three years with his speed and athleticism, but I expect that’s because he will find a role on special teams and not really be considered much to play on the defensive side of the ball.
TJ Edwards: When TJ Edwards signed his contract extension last year, I didn’t love it, and that was certainly a minority opinion. I think in hindsight, the Bears wish they hadn’t signed Edwards to that extension, but nobody can predict a significant leg injury to a player who has been relatively healthy his whole career. It’s impossible to predict what kind of impact Edwards can make this year until the Bears see him on the field. D’Marco Jackson may beat out Edwards for the other starting linebacker spot, and Edwards could be the team’s LB3. If Edwards does hold on to his starting job, I expect this to be his last year in Chicago. I don’t believe Edwards is in the Bears’ plans at all for 2027, and I’m not even sure how much he’s in their plans in 2026.
D’Marco Jackson: Jackson did an excellent job last season in Chicago, so it was no surprise that the Bears brought him back on an affordable 2-year contract extension. Jackson is the perfect safety net for the team. He can start at linebacker if need be, but he’s also a great LB3 that can fill in or come on in on base package downs. Jackson will be the team’s LB2 or LB3 this year, depending on how things shake out with Edwards, and I think in 2027, he, again, will be the team’s LB2 or LB3, depending on one other player on this roster.
Devin Bush: I’m not going to lie, I loved Devin Bush when he was coming out of Michigan and drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. I thought he was going to be a 10-year stud in the league, and I drafted him in multiple dynasty drafts. He got off to a decent start in Pittsburgh, but injuries derailed his career. He started returning to form late in 2024 in Cleveland and had an outstanding year for the Browns in 2025. If the injuries are behind Bush and he’s returned the blazingly fast linebacker he was coming out of college, the Bears got a steal with this contract, but there are questions about Bush, and you do have to be concerned about the potential for recurring injuries. Regardless of those questions, Bush will be one of the team’s starting linebackers in 2026 and 2027, and if he plays well for two seasons, I would not be surprised if the Bears tack on a two-year extension for him after that.
Keyshaun Elliott: It’s important not to gas up a day three rookie too much, but I do think Elliott has a future in Chicago. I think he fits the mold of a linebacker with better skills and traits than Hyppolite from last year’s draft class. He needs to improve in pass coverage, but he’s a hard worker with great football character, and those are the types of guys the Bears like to bet on. He was very productive at Arizona State, including as a blitzer, which is something you know Dennis Allen loves. I think of all positions, the one where productivity in college equals success at the NFL level, linebacker is the one position that sees the most players who fit that mold (like a Jack Sanborn). I don’t see Elliott seeing the field much this season unless he forces his way onto it with great play. I think he makes the 53 and sees plenty of time on special teams as the team’s LB4, but will be the team’s LB3 in 2027 with a chance to be the team’s LB2 if he can beat out Jackson.
