The Chicago Bears offensive line has remained under fire most of the season from critics. Many view it as the weakness of the offense. Is this fair? To an extent. The unit has had some ugly performances this season, particularly against Cleveland and Tampa Bay. However, former Bears center Olin Kreutz doesn’t think they deserve the amount of criticism they’ve gotten. Especially the man in the middle, Sam Mustipher.
When speaking about who the weak link of the front five is, most point to the third-year blocker. They view him as undersized and underpowered. Too easily knocked around by bigger and stronger defensive tackles. Kreutz? While he admits his own bias given he’s worked with Mustipher since his time at Notre Dame, he was quick to point out many of the good things the young center brings to the table.
Especially when it comes to intelligence and awareness.
People don’t grasp how critical he is when it comes to processing information and making sure everybody is where they need to be. Making adjustments on the fly to clean up any mistakes. He is actually a big reason why the Bears have been so effective running the football despite injury setbacks at running back. Kreutz understands the desire to upgrade positions, but he also thinks expectations are a bit unfair for Mustipher. It’s fine to seek alternatives, but it isn’t the best idea to dump a decent guy unless you’re certain you’re getting an upgrade.
This is completely fair. The fact is Mustipher hasn’t been truly bad this year. His best description would be serviceable. In 328 pass block snaps this season, the center is credited with allowing 13 pressures on the quarterback including a sack. That is the same as Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowler Ryan Jensen and one fewer than Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowler Jason Kelce. Perhaps the biggest criticism is his run blocking.
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The Bears have averaged 3.8 yards per carry this season when running in Mustipher’s vicinity. A clear sign he isn’t able to generate the kind of push a team would want. It is a big reason the Bears’ inside zone runs rarely work.
Olin Kreutz urges patience on the center question
In his mind, there are bigger issues on the offense than Mustipher. Namely the lack of offensive weapons that can put the ball in the end zone. Bears wide receivers have three touchdowns collectively this season. Three. In nine games. That is bad. People can blame the rookie quarterback problem all they want. The reality is Allen Robinson has never really been a volume TD scorer. Nor are Marquise Goodwin or Damiere Byrd.
All three of them are free agents next year. There is a serious chance that this team could completely overhaul that position. Without much money or draft picks, keeping a guy like Mustipher in place for at least one more year makes logical sense. Especially with the Bears hoping to break in their young tackles in Larry Borom and Teven Jenkins. The fewer positions they have to juggle in one offseason, the better. In that Olin Kreutz is dead on.
Eight games still remain.
That should offer enough time for Mustipher to continue honing his craft. There is a possibility he will continue to improve. It isn’t like the Bears would have to spend much money to keep him. They can utilize an Exclusive Rights Free Agent tender on him in 2022. This automatically locks him into a one-year deal for $895,000. At that price? He is worth keeping.
