Top NFL Players from the Chicago Area Not on the Bears' Roster

Strategic Insights -

The Chicago area has produced numerous talented athletes who have gone on to succeed in the NFL. Among the many familiar faces on the Bears' roster are several players who attended high school in the area, including T.J. Edwards, Cole Kmet, and Scott Daly. However, this week's High Five highlights five top NFL players from the Chicago area who currently play for other teams. These individuals have achieved great success in their careers, with some of them being starters or even superstars in the league.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jack Sanborn, a linebacker from Lake Zurich, was a starter for the Bears in 2022 and now plays for the Dallas Cowboys, where he will be reunited with former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus.
  • Jayden Reed, a wide receiver from Naperville Central, was drafted in the second round of the 2023 draft by the Green Bay Packers and had a standout rookie season, finishing with 64 catches for 793 yards.
  • Jimmy Garoppolo, a quarterback from Rolling Meadows, is a veteran player with nearly 16,000 career passing yards and a surprising rise from Eastern Illinois, currently playing for the Los Angeles Rams.
  • Peter Skoronski, an offensive lineman from Maine South, was drafted 11th overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2023 draft and has quickly become one of the top guards in the league, rated as the 20th-best by Pro Football Focus.
  • Alec Pierce, a wide receiver from Glenbard West, was drafted in the second round of the 2022 draft by the Indianapolis Colts and has been a valuable contributor to the team, leading the NFL with 22.3 yards per catch last season.

Statistics:

  • Jack Sanborn has 164 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 14 tackles for loss in his three-year career.
  • Jayden Reed has 64 catches for 793 yards and 6 scores in his rookie season.
  • Jimmy Garoppolo has thrown for nearly 16,000 yards in his 12-year NFL career.
  • Peter Skoronski has started every game of his rookie season and is rated as the 20th-best guard in the NFL.
  • Alec Pierce has played in all but two games of the last three seasons and has started all but eight of his 49 games.

Sources:

  • [Source 1: text referencing Jack Sanborn's career stats and coach]
  • [Source 2: text referencing Jayden Reed's rookie season performance]
  • [Source 3: text referencing Jimmy Garoppolo's career and player profile]
  • [Source 4: text referencing Peter Skoronski's rookie season and Pro Football Focus rating]
  • [Source 5: text referencing Alec Pierce's career stats and performance]