The Ravens have signed free agent center Sam Mustipher, giving them a true backup to Tyler Linderbaum after losing Trystan Colon as a free agent.
The signing is a homecoming for Mustipher, who grew up not far from the Ravens facility in Owings Mills before attending Good Counsel in Olney and then Notre Dame. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is believed to be a one-year contract.
Mustipher, 26, has spent the past three seasons with the Chicago Bears, who signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2019. Mustipher (6-foot-2, 332 pounds) was the Bears’ starting center for the past two seasons, but he was not tendered as a restricted free agent this spring, making him a free agent.
Pro Football Focus rated Mustipher No. 18 among centers last year, with better grades as a run blocker than pass blocker. He gives the Ravens a proven option behind Linderbaum, who played every offensive snap as a rookie last year.
But behind Linderbaum, the Ravens had no true backup after Colon was signed by the New York Jets this spring. Super-utility lineman Patrick Mekari has made 10 starts at center, but he could be a candidate for the starting left guard job, and the Ravens like his ability to fill in anywhere along the offensive line.
The Ravens are in the second phase of their offseason program, with players taking part in individual and small-group, noncontact workouts. They hold the first of their 10 OTA practices on Monday, May 22.