It's common for teams during training camp to cycle through players in an effort to put together the best possible roster. That's precisely what the Jacksonville Jaguars did when they signed center Sam Mustipher after placing offensive lineman Trystan Colon on the retired/reserve list.
Just a couple days before the Jags hold a scrimmage, they announced they signed Mustipher. They originally had a roster spot vacant when they put Colon on the retired list.
On paper, this is just a depth move, but Mustipher is a grizzled veteran who could find a way to stick around in Duval next season, even if he's got a tough road ahead of him.
What did Sam Mustipher do before signing with the Jaguars?
Sam Mustipher signed with the Chicago Bears after going undrafted in 2019. He spent his rookie season on the practice squad but went on to play 43 games with 40 starts in the Windy City before bolting for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.
After his one-year stint with Baltimore, Mustipher has spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers, the Tennessee Titans, and the Denver Broncos. He hasn't been nearly as productive as he was with the Bears but could try to stay in Jacksonville next season.
Mustipher's best season in the NFL might have come with the Bears in 2021. Although he posted an underwhelming Pro Football Focus overall grade of 53.1 on a career-best 1,121 snaps on offense, he gave up a solid one sack and 28 total pressures.
It's worth noting that Mustipher was teammates with center Robert Hainsey in 2017 and 2018 at Notre Dame. While Hainsey wasn't directly involved in Mustipher's signing, he might have put in a good word.
Can Sam Mustipher make the Jaguars 53-man roster?
Probably not. Robert Hainsay — the most underrated player on the team, according to Trevor Lawrence — is virtually a lock to make the team. Ditto sophomore Jonah Monheim, who could become the starter at center down the road.
But beyond the center position, the Jaguars appear to be set on the offensive line. There's also a 99 percent chance that Anton Harrison, Wyatt Milum, Cole Van Lanen, Emmanuel Pregnon, Ezra Cleveland, Patrick Mekari, and Walker Little will also get the nod. That's nine roster spots.
Chuma Edoga is on the outside looking in, but could ultimately earn a roster spot. That leaves Sam Mustipher in an uphill battle to make the cut. Perhaps if the Jags trade Little or place Van Lanen on the Physically Unable to Perform list. But even that scenario appears to be unlikely.
At this point, Mustipher's best bet is to make a bid for a spot on the practice squad. It's also possible that the Jaguars want to kick the tires on him and bring him back down the road if the injury bug strikes.
Either way, Sam Mustipher will have a steep hill to climb if he wants to stick around with the Jags next season.
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