On April 4, 2024, after the Broncos lost starting center Lloyd Cushenberry in free agency, they signed veteran Sam Mustipher, a former starter with Chicago.

Many thought Mustipher would end up being the Broncos’ starter in 2024 since the two other centers on the roster were both inexperienced, in Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth. But Mustipher didn’t even make the team, being released Aug. 27, 2024, the day of final cuts.

“Absolutely, as a competitor you could definitely say that,’’ Mustipher said Thursday about whether he was surprised at being let go. “But they made their decision and I had to live with it.”

Flash forward 16 months and the seven-year veteran was back with the Broncos last Friday. He was signed off the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad to Denver’s 53-man roster to serve as the backup behind Forsyth. Forsyth had been Wattenberg’s backup until he was placed Dec. 25 on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

“It all comes full circle,’’ said Mustipher, speaking to The Denver Gazette after his second practice with the team at Broncos Park. “It’s not personal (being cut). It’s a business and I understand that.”

Mustipher’s signing with the Broncos last week raised some eyebrows, as the Chargers were still in contention to win the AFC West at the time. That was until they lost 20-16 at home last Saturday to Houston.

But the Chargers (11-5) will play at Denver (13-3) on Sunday, with the Broncos able to lock down the AFC’s top playoff seed with a win. Head coach Sean Payton on Wednesday quashed the notion that picking up Mustipher had anything to do with him coming from the Chargers, saying it “was about having, for this stretch run, another experienced center.”

“If you knew that I was here (in) training camp (in 2024) and that I have a familiarity with the offense and (quarterback) Bo Nix, then you would understand it makes sense for both sides,’’ Mustipher said.

Mustipher, though, said the decision to come to Denver wasn’t an automatic one. After being released by the Broncos in 2024, he was signed to the Chargers’ practice squad and eventually promoted to the active roster, appearing in 12 games.

Mustipher’s odyssey this season has included spending time with Tennessee until being cut following training camp, being on Baltimore’s practice squad for two weeks in September and then rejoining the Chargers on Oct. 2 on the practice squad.

“(The Broncos) had called L.A. and said they wanted to pick me up,’’ said Mustipher, who never has appeared in a playoff game. “I had to make a decision. … My family (wife Lilli Mustipher and two children) is out there (in Los Angeles). I have a great relationship with the people with the Chargers. … But (the Broncos are) a team that is going to the playoffs, and I know the O-line room. I know this offense pretty well. It was a great opportunity to be one snap away from playing in the playoffs, which is your ultimate goal as a player.”

Broncos tackle Mike McGlinchey was thrilled when Mustipher made his decision to return to Denver. McGlinchey was Mustipher’s teammate at Notre Dame from 2014-17 in addition to being with him on the Broncos for five months in 2024.

“It’s awesome,’’ McGlinchey said. “Sam’s one of the best guys ever. He’s been a great teammate since I was 18 years old. He’s been here. He’s been part of our (offensive line) room before, so he’s perfect.”

While McGlinchey was the No. 9 pick in the NFL draft by San Francisco in 2018, Mustipher went undrafted in 2019. But Mustipher made the Bears as an undrafted free agent and eventually became their primary center, starting 40 of the 43 games he played for them from 2020-23.

“I think going undrafted is a sin because he’s too good of a player and he’s had a great career,’’ McGlinchey said. “He’s proven everybody wrong, and that’s no surprise to me.’’

Mustipher, 29, said the key to making the NFL after being undrafted was “to keep your head down and keep working.” But after becoming a starter with the Bears, Mustipher has been a reserve in recent years.

Mustipher got into nine games with the Ravens in 2023, but started just two. He started just one of the 12 games he played with the Chargers in 2024. He hasn’t gotten into a game this season, but could be used Sunday on special teams or if needed in relief of Forsyth.

“I’m very grateful for the journey that I’ve had,’’ Mustipher said. “If I could go back and change anything,  I wouldn’t. It brought me back here (to Denver) and I’m very grateful for that.”

Mustipher’s brother, defensive tackle P.J. Mustipher spent time on Denver’s practice squad in 2023 and is now a rotation player with Arizona. Mustipher said his brother helped sell him on joining the Broncos in April 2024.

Mustipher said “it’s like riding a bike” in how quickly he has been able to adjust in practices Wednesday and Thursday to being back with the Broncos. He said working with Nix has gone well.

“I can see his growth from year one to year two, the confidence,’’ said Mustipher, who had last snapped to Nix in training camp in his rookie season. “Not that he didn’t have it last year but the way he is operating now is streamlined. … You can see this is his offense, his system, this is his team.”

The Broncos are now again the team Mustipher is on, but this time in the regular season.