Bears veteran highlights key deficiency within team
The bye week gave the Chicago Bears plenty of time to reflect upon its season this far. While some players spent the bye resting and recovering, Chicago’s center Sam Mustipher couldn’t get his mind off of football. "I didn't really get away," Mustipher told reporters on Monday. "I was really immersed in it. We have […]
The bye week gave the Chicago Bears plenty of time to reflect upon its season this far.
While some players spent the bye resting and recovering, Chicago’s center Sam Mustipher couldn’t get his mind off of football.
"I didn't really get away," Mustipher told reporters on Monday. "I was really immersed in it. We have four weeks left to go. We're going to have plenty of time this offseason to get away from the game. I really try to dedicate all my time in season to get better and help the Bears win football games. So, it's fine for me. I guess a little bit of time away from the facility was nice, being able to hang out with the family. But I studied up on myself, watched previous games that I've played, watched other teams around the league."
It's certainly a mature approach for a player in just his third season in the NFL. However, that’s exactly the type of mindset head coach Matt Eberflus is trying to foster in his first year at the helm.
The Bears’ 3-10 record isn’t what the team had hoped for at this point in the season, but by acknowledging where things have gone wrong, only then can Chicago experience much-needed growth.
The roster is young in Chicago, meaning many key players have yet to truly learn how to win early on in their careers. After all, the Bears are just 1-6 in games decided by one score or less.
“You have to learn how to win football games,” Mustipher noted. “There are a lot of veteran teams around the league and you can kind of see it. They know how to win. They know what it takes.”
Mustipher’s level of self-awareness of, not just himself, but where the team currently stands in impressive.
Sure, by looking at Chicago’s record it’s obvious they have struggled to find ways to win. However, Mustipher is doing his part to help move the team forward by putting in extra work during his time off.
Featured image via Dan Powers / USA TODAY NETWORK – Wis
