Chicago Bears: 3 Under-the-radar players who must return in 2021

2. Center Sam Mustipher

Remember when Harry Hiestand was coaching the Bears’ offensive line? The former Notre Dame offensive line coach worked with both Alex Bars (also a candidate to bring back) and Sam Mustipher before the Bears signed them as undrafted free agents in 2019.

For the last three games, Mustipher has been a starter. The great thing about him is that he can play both guard and center. However, he looks to be strongest at center. Forced into action after Cody Whitehair and James Daniels went down to injury, Mustipher has shined in a big way.

He has played so well that, if the Bears so choose to, they could move Whitehair back to guard in 2021 and keep Mustipher as their starting center. It looked as though guard was going to be a problem to fix next year, once again, but Mustipher could have solved the issue already due to his high level of play.

In his three and a half games this year, Mustipher has not been called for a penalty once — which is impressive for a team like the Bears who have been penalized quite often in 2020. He’s played smart, calculated ball this year and is starting to generate more buzz when it comes to having a solidified starting position next year.

Could Chicago have filled a gap in the offensive line with this stud undrafted gem? If they were smart, they’d bring him back and roll with that idea.