Grading the Bears’ rookies as they enter Week 14 bye

The Chicago Bears enter their Week 14 bye battered, bruised, and somewhat defeated. They’ve amassed a 3-10 record and hold the second pick in the 2023 NFL draft. In other words, they’re one of the NFL’s worst teams this season and have slogged through three months of frustrating late-game losses and a recent rash of injuries before getting a week off.

However, all hasn’t been lost in an otherwise lost season for Chicago. Justin Fields’ development is exciting and has the Bears’ future as bright as any team in the league. And that whole 2023 NFL Draft pick? Yeah, Chicago will land an elite talent with their first-round pick, one who’s likely to elevate the defense’s play next season.

But before we focus on who the Bears could add in next year’s draft, let’s look back at the rookies who joined the squad this year. How have they performed through the first three months of their NFL careers? Here are our grades for the Bears’ main rookies entering the bye week.

AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

Head of the Class – Jack Sanborn (Linebacker): A

No rookie has made a bigger impact for the Bears in 2022 than Jack Sanborn, who joined the team as an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin. His emergence as the team’s top linebacker following the Roquan Smith trade has been one of the biggest positive developments for the team as they march toward the 2023 offseason. Sanborn is fifth on the Bears in tackles despite playing only 300 snaps this year. By comparison, Nicholas Morrow has logged 808 snaps but has just 25 more tackles than Sanborn.

Sanborn is the future at inside linebacker for the Chicago Bears. Forget about draft pedigree. He’s the real deal and will be a fixture on defense for a long time.

Brian Fluharty – USA TODAY Sports

Jaquan Brisker (Safety): B+

Jaquan Brisker, like Sanborn, has established himself as a long-term starter and building block on defense during his rookie season. The second-round pick from Penn State has the second-highest PFF grade on the Bears’ defense and has proven to be the ideal complement to Eddie Jackson.

Brisker ranks fourth among Bears defenders with 73 tackles and leads the team with three sacks. His numbers would be even better if he didn’t miss the last two games with a concussion.

Braxton Jones (Left Tackle): B

Braxton Jones may be the most overlooked rookie in the NFL this season. The fifth-round pick from Southern Utah leads the Bears’ offense in total snaps played (809) and has the third-highest PFF grade on Chicago’s offense.

“Jones looks nothing short of the Bears” long-term starter at left tackle at this point,”