A four-year USC right tackle turned Auburn center, Mason Murphy brings rare positional versatility to Chicago's offensive line room as an undrafted rookie.
Mason Murphy's college career reads like a lesson in adaptability: four seasons protecting the edge at USC, a graduate transfer year at Auburn, and a mid-season shift from right tackle to center after a teammate's ACL injury. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent, giving Chicago a third former USC Trojan on the roster.
Path to the league
Murphy started at right tackle for USC from 2021 through 2024, sharing a locker room with quarterback Caleb Williams for three of those seasons. He transferred to Auburn for his final year of eligibility in 2025 and went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft before signing with the Bears.
Career highlights
At Auburn in 2025, Murphy started all 12 games, lining up at right tackle for the first nine before sliding inside to center for the final three following starter Connor Lew's ACL injury. He played 813 total snaps on the season, allowing 10 sacks and 32 total quarterback pressures with four penalties.
2025 season recap
Murphy's move from tackle to center down the stretch of 2025 was his standout development: his pass protection improved notably at his new position, surrendering just seven pressures and zero sacks over Auburn's final three games. That versatility, playing multiple line spots at a high level in a single season, is what drew the Bears to sign him as a priority undrafted free agent.
Sources
- Chicago Bears: Mason Murphy player page
- Bear Goggles On: Bears UDFA Mason Murphy could be a sneaky surprise
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Offensive Tackle
- Group
- offense
- College
- Auburn
- Hometown
- Riverside, CA, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
