Dallas Cowboys May Regret Letting Jack Sanborn Walk: The Value Player Who Found a New Home Quickly

The Dallas Cowboys have made several significant moves in the 2026 NFL offseason, but one decision is raising eyebrows—particularly regarding the release of linebacker Jack Sanborn, a player who was valued at just $1.5 million. Though the Cowboys have made notable signings and restructured contracts to clear up cap space, the release of Sanborn could turn out to be a decision they regret, especially as the Chicago Bears quickly scooped him up following his departure from Dallas.

The Cowboys’ Tight Cap Space: Why They Let Sanborn Walk

The Cowboys are working with a tight salary cap this offseason, which has forced them to make difficult decisions. They have restructured deals for high-profile players like Dak Prescott and Kenny Clark, helping to free up a significant amount of cap space. However, when it comes to value players—those who may not be superstars but provide strong contributions for a reasonable price—letting them go can come back to haunt a team more than releasing high-priced, star players.

One such value player the Cowboys let walk was Jack Sanborn, a linebacker who signed a one-year deal with Dallas in March 2025 for just $1.5 million. While the Cowboys had financial reasons for moving on from Sanborn, his departure is already being felt, especially as he quickly found a new home.

Sanborn’s Homecoming to Chicago

Sanborn, who started his NFL career with the Chicago Bears in 2022, didn’t take long to find a new team. Just a week after free agency kicked off, the Bears swooped in and brought him back to Chicago on March 18, 2026. For Sanborn, it’s a homecoming that he’s excited about, as he expressed in an interview with the Bears’ official website:

“I love it here in Chicago and being part of what [coach] Ben Johnson and [defensive coordinator] Dennis Allen have been building here and the success that they’ve had,” Sanborn said. “It’s something I couldn’t pass up, and I’m grateful that I’m able to come back here and help in any way I can.”

Sanborn’s connection to the Bears and his familiarity with their system could make him a valuable contributor in Chicago, and the Cowboys’ decision to let him go could be a move they come to regret, especially with the Bears’ defense continuing to improve under new leadership.

Jerry Jones Pleased with the Cowboys’ Moves, Despite Sanborn’s Departure

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has expressed his satisfaction with the team’s free agency moves, emphasizing that the team has stayed within the bounds of their available cap space while still making strategic signings. On March 12, just after free agency began, Jones told reporters:

“I think we’re within the boundaries of what we have available, what we’re trying to accomplish with draft picks and with cap. I wouldn’t try to re-visit or try to re-do what we’ve done on either that cap or the trades we’ve made. I like what we got.”

While Jones is happy with the team’s current moves, including their biggest free agency signing of veteran safety Jalen Thompson to a three-year deal worth up to $36 million, there’s a sense that letting Sanborn go may have been a missed opportunity. Sanborn’s value at $1.5 million was hard to ignore, and his versatility and leadership on defense could have filled an important role for the Cowboys.

Looking Ahead: The Cowboys’ Bigger Moves in Free Agency

Jones is not typically one to spend big in free agency, but the Cowboys have made a more significant push this offseason. Signing Thompson was one of their biggest free-agent moves since Brandon Carr joined the team in 2012 with a five-year, $50 million contract. With defensive coordinator Christian Parker now adding Thompson to the mix, the Cowboys’ defense is looking more formidable heading into the 2026 season.

Still, the Cowboys’ decision to release Sanborn, despite his affordability and solid play, may leave a gap in their linebacker corps. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys fill that void in the coming weeks and whether Sanborn’s departure will ultimately hurt the defense, especially as he reunites with the Bears.

Conclusion: A Potential Regret for the Cowboys

While Jerry Jones and the Cowboys have been active in addressing their roster needs, letting Jack Sanborn walk could be a move they regret in the long term. His $1.5 million deal was a steal for his production, and his quick signing with the Bears shows how much value he can bring to a team. As the Cowboys continue to build their roster, they may realize that letting a player like Sanborn go could have been a mistake—one that’s hard to fix with the current cap constraints.

The Cowboys’ offseason is far from over, and how they address their needs at linebacker and elsewhere will be crucial to their success in 2026. For now, though, Sanborn’s departure might leave a lingering feeling of “what could have been” in Dallas.