Even as the trade speculation continues to swirl, it appears Anthony Miller may yet survive one more season with the Chicago Bears. He should count himself fortunate. Normally when the owner of the franchise singles you out as a major disappointment, you’re usually gone. That is what George McCaskey did to Miller following his unceremonious ejection from the playoff loss to the Saints. This after repeated warnings not to get involved with known agitator Chauncey Gardner-Johnson only to punch him on live TV.
Miller’s entire 2020 season was pure frustration. It looked like towards the end of 2019 that the former 2nd round pick had finally started to find his groove. Expectations were high going into Year 3. Then Miller produced career lows in both yards (485) and touchdowns (2). He continued to have problems both with dropping catchable passes and also running the wrong routes. These mental lapses clearly grated on the patience of his coaches.
None more so than wide receivers coach Mike Furrey.
He’s been a constant supporter of Miller since the kid was drafted in 2018. However, there comes a time when the coddling needs to stop. Furrey seems to have reached that point. Following the end of the NFL draft, the Bears’ wide receiver position has taken on a considerably different look. Enough to where there won’t be any free handouts this time. Knowing this, Furrey delivered an uncompromising message to Miller about his new reality.
“There’s going to be some competition,” Bears wide receivers coach Mike Furrey said Wednesday. “Now, it’s not going to be a need base. We don’t need you. We got guys that are going to produce, and you better be a pro. You better be on your details. You better do what we’re asking you to do.”
Put simply, the draft status isn’t going to protect Miller anymore. If he wants to stay on this team, he better start showing on the field that he’s finally learned his lessons about how to play his position the right way. Furrey’s tactic isn’t anything new. San Francisco 49ers icon Bill Walsh was notorious for it during his heyday. He often warned players that he was under no obligation to keep them if they kept making mistakes.
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Anthony Miller faces a steep climb back in the Bears’ good graces
Since March, the Bears have added four new receivers to the depth chart. It began with speedster Marquise Goodwin in free agency. Then Dazz Newsome arrived via the 6th round of the draft. Rounding out the additions were undrafted free agent Khalil McClain from Troy and former Patriots veteran Damiere Byrd a few days later. The team has certainly invested in their depth and competition.
Enough to where it isn’t difficult seeing Anthony Miller released. The Bears have two solid guys at the top in Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney. If Miller isn’t capable of establishing himself as a true #3 option, then his value to the team will drop significantly due to his lack of prowess on special teams. So yeah. The honeymoon period is over. It’s not just about getting more targets anymore. Miller could be fighting for his job these next four months.
How will he respond to the challenge?
That is up to him. The receiver still has plenty of talent and is 26-years old. There is time for him to still realize his considerable potential. It comes down to whether he stops leaning on that talent and starts focusing on the details. That is what separates the good receivers from everybody else. Ask Robinson. Even Mooney seems to have that figured out. Hopefully, Miller sees the light before it’s too late.