NEWSLETTER
Sam Mustipher’s career arc in Chicago was fun to follow for a time.
Going from UDFA signing and hanging on with the practice squad to starting center for a Bears playoff team isn’t a story that gets written often. And to hold onto a starting role over multiple seasons after that first one was a testament to his resilience (and the Bears’ inability to properly address that position). Despite his ample starting experience, the Bears declined to extend Mustipher a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent. And with that, Mustipher was out the door at Halas Hall.
But it appears Mustipher will have a chance to compete elsewhere for a gig. The Baltimore Ravens are bringing the former Bears center on board:
There are two feelings that immediately hit me upon seeing this news. Firstly, relief. I didn’t think the Bears would bring Mustipher back after cutting him loose earlier in the offseason. But we’ve seen stranger things happen. For instance, the Bears brought cornerback Marcus Cooper back after cutting him ahead of the 2018 free-agency spending spree. Mustipher and Cooper are different players who were part of different regimes. Nevertheless, I couldn’t rule out a return until Mustipher signed elsewhere. And then he did. Whew.
And yet, I can’t shake that second feeling that came over me when I saw the news. It’s a feeling of curiosity. The Ravens are one of the NFL’s best-run front offices. Their talent evaluation is lauded as being among the best in the business. In particular, Baltimore’s eye for offensive line talent has stuck out as a strength over the years. Not only do the Ravens seem to draft and develop studs yearly, but the players who slip through and hit the market also tend to be more helpful than hurtful to their new teams. With that being said, I can’t see the Mustipher signing without asking wondering what the Ravens see that we don’t.
Is there something on tape? Pro Football Focus grades aren’t the be-all, end-all. But they Mustipher’s grades were mostly discouraging during his time with the Bears. Was Mustipher being miscast at center? The Bears tried having him spend time at guard before he found his way back to his original position. Does Baltimore have pixie dust it sprinkles on reserve interior linemen? Or is it a secret sauce? I have questions, but Mustipher’s play will ultimately provide answers. Although, being behind 2022 first-round pick Tyler Linderbaum on the depth chart limits Mustipher’s path to starting. So maybe we won’t get those answers. Even still … I’m just glad the Bears aren’t the team fussing around trying to make that square peg fit.
