3. Sam Mustipher, C, Baltimore Ravens
Mustipher had a ... unique? ... reputation with Bears fans.
For a while, it seemed like Bears' coaches (and Chicago media members that trained with him in the offseason) thought he was an integral piece of the offensive line: he started all but one game over a two-year stretch from 2021-2022. And while the coaches saw a young, developing leader from Notre Dame – the Harry Hiestand connections in Chicago are strong – the fans saw an unreliable center who struggled for long stretches of time, especially with pass blocking.
After the 2022 season, the Bears declined to extend an offer to Mustipher, who was a restricted free agent at the time, and he hit the open market.
He ended up in Baltimore on a one-year deal worth a little over $1 million. Signed primarily as a backup, he appeared in nine games and made two starts for the Ravens, playing all but three snaps at center.
There's little doubt by now that his ceiling is a backup/swing guard, but the Bears probably dodged a bullet by not betting big on his development.