The Chicago Bears still field a roster that looks good on paper. Lots of veteran talent like Khalil Mack and Allen Robinson mixed with emerging youngsters like Roquan Smith and David Montgomery. Yet this is a team that has flaws. Areas that seem like liabilities unless somebody takes a step forward in 2021. When looking across the board, there are a number of players who sit under such a microscope. Perhaps none more so than Sam Mustipher.
The third-year offensive lineman was such a cool story. Undrafted out of Notre Dame in 2019, he spent his rookie year on the practice squad. It looked like 2020 would be more of the same. Then injuries and COVID-19 struck the Bears offensive line. With both of their options at center out of the picture, Chicago looked to Mustipher for help. When given his opportunity, the kid played surprisingly well.
Going into the bye week, the team decided to make some significant changes.
One was keeping him at center permanently while shifting Cody Whitehair to right guard. It worked. The offense finally started to gain some traction and the Bears recovered just in time to help the team to the playoffs. Teammates immediately gravitated to Mustipher for his intelligence and leadership. Something that wasn’t always present in the past. This is why the job remained firmly his coming into this season.
That said, the preseason served as a reminder that the 25-year old should not feel secure yet. While Mustipher had a fairly decent showing in pass protection, allow two pressures in 51 snaps? His run blocking was a big issue. Too many times he failed to generate any sort of push and was even blown into the backfield. This goes back to concerns many had about him. Concerns about not being strong enough.
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Sam Mustipher has plenty to prove and to play for too
Remember that he is in the final year of his rookie contract. So there is plenty of incentive for him to take a big step forward this season. This is probably his best possible chance to get a big payday. Especially coming off an undrafted deal. While the Bears trust him enough to not even keep competition on the roster, minds can change fast in the NFL. Mustipher knows this. That is why he continues to work so hard.
He isn’t the only one that shouldn’t get comfortable with his spot yet either. There are a few others that need a strong 2021 to gain further security. Robert Quinn is coming off the worst season of his career with just two sacks. Though he has a big contract already, there is a strong chance the Bears will look to get out of it by next year if he struggles again this season. Kindle Vildor had some momentum going into the preseason as a possible starting corner. Then he struggled. So his status is uncertain as well.
This upcoming season will determine a lot.
Sam Mustipher has a chance to do something rare. Going from undrafted to long-term starter on the offensive line doesn’t happen often in the NFL. Especially at center. While he may never be Jay Hilgenberg, his ascent would give this team so much needed flexibility as they try to enhance the blocking for Justin Fields in the months to come.
