This Chicago Bears offseason has been one of the strangest rides in recent memory. Just so many ups and downs along with twists and turns. Fans were pulled in all directions and they’re already exhausted. One of the strangest parts of this journey is the players who left and more specifically the ones everybody thought would leave. It’s common knowledge that Kyle Fuller was a big loss two months ago. What people might forget is another prominent name almost joined him in Akiem Hicks.
Thankfully the Bears found a way to make the money situation work so their defensive captain stays. Yet the uncertainty with the roster didn’t end there. Soon another name seemed destined for the exit door in wide receiver Anthony Miller. The former 2nd round pick had endured a rough end to last season. Enough to where the team was open to trading him. According to Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, feelings on his roster status appear to have changed.
Just look at his projected starting lineup for this season.
That is quite a shift from just a month ago when it seemed imminent Miller would be traded. Head coach Matt Nagy even said that Miller has done everything asked of him thus far this offseason. The team never doubted his talent. They’ve just wanted to see improvement in his discipline and attention to detail. Perhaps being in a contract year and surrounded by improved competition will finally wake him up to reality.
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Rosenthal isn’t the only one who thinks Miller ultimately gets one more chance. Pro Football Focus had similar projections for this year. The reality is hope still remains that the young receiver can figure things out. He’s shown enough flashes in the past to make one think he’s capable of finally breaking out. It is a question of whether he can mature as a professional.
The Chicago Bears projected starters for 2021 includes three rookies in the lineuphttps://t.co/2luFXMPUg1 pic.twitter.com/cidjakN4TT
— PFF CHI Bears (@PFF_Bears) May 19, 2021
Chicago Bears made sure that Miller will have to earn it
They made a number of notable changes to their wide receiver position this offseason. It started with the arrival of speedster Marquise Goodwin who had some success out west in San Francisco. Then in the NFL draft, they secured Dazz Newsome out of North Carolina in the 6th round. Most view him as a classic slot receiver built on quickness, agility, and strong hands. The exact position Miller plays.
Last but not least is Damiere Byrd. After years as a backup in Arizona, he got his big break in New England last season where he topped 600 yards receiving. One added benefit all three of these men bring? They’re solid on special teams. So they bring more overall value to the roster than Miller at present. That should sit in the back of his mind more than anything. If the Chicago Bears coaches don’t consider him that much better than the other three, they’re likely to keep the other three.
So Miller better show up in camp ready to go.
He’ll need to show everybody that he’s learned something and isn’t the same player he’s been the past two years. That player wasn’t good enough. There is a reason Darnell Mooney surpassed him in 2020. He’s more disciplined and more reliable. Miller must learn to become the same if he wants to stay in a Bears uniform.