This wasn’t supposed to be the plan. The Chicago Bears had insisted their intentions at center were for Lucas Patrick to play there once his hand was healthy. All signs point to him being able to snap again after having the cast removed. So it was not a welcome sight when the Bears lined him up at right guard while Sam Mustipher remained the starting center. That mistake didn’t take long to reveal itself as the third-year center was bulldozed by the New York Giants for six QB pressures and a sack.
Mustipher has now given up the second-most pressures in the NFL among centers. People can talk about his toughness and gritty style all day. The reality is he’s not physically up to the task of blocking NFL defensive linemen. He doesn’t have the size and isn’t a great athlete. What makes matters worse is some have started to question his ability to recognize blitzes. Former tight end Clay Harbor explained this on the Under Center podcast.
"If you can't block a cross dog blitz, you can't play center" – @clayharbs82 on Sam Mustipher
⏰: After White Sox Postgame Live
📺: @NBCSChicago
🎧: https://t.co/hgPZrF0KGM pic.twitter.com/7IL4nuT19V— Bears Talk (@NBCSBears) October 5, 2022
Harbor wasn’t talking from a place of ignorance, either. He provided lots of video evidence of Mustipher struggling against the blitz in New York. It was troubling how consistent the problem was. It illustrates why he is critical of the Bears sticking with the struggling lineman. The man paying for it is Justin Fields.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
These may look the same but they’re ALL different plays. Another drop back another BASIC cross dog blitz. Mustipher gets Fields hammered again. Not that it mattered. NOBODY was open. #DaBears #BearDown #ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/aLk4Tq2xnM
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 4, 2022
I wish I was making this up but I’m not.
This is ANOTHER basic cross dog blitz. Sam Mustipher once again misses his assignment and stops the play before it’s started. #DaBears #Bears #BearDown pic.twitter.com/6iV27ZEZf8
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 4, 2022
Sam Mustipher has nothing to offer the Bears at this point.
He is the weakest link of the offensive line. There has to be a favorable alternative. The easiest transition would be shifting Patrick to center as planned and then putting somebody at left guard. Michael Schofield is the obvious candidate. He’s a veteran with several years of starting experience. Ja’Tyre Carter is another option, but it feels unwise for the Bears to start two rookies on the left side of the offensive line along with Braxton Jones.
More than anything, this is a reminder of the mess Ryan Pace left behind. His blatant lack of investment in the offensive line during his final years with the team left the cupboard almost bare. The only good fortune is how well Teven Jenkins has adapted at right guard. He has long-term starter potential. Outside of that, Ryan Poles has so much work to do. Removing Sam Mustipher from the picture will be an easy decision.
