Matt Nagy continues to hear it from critics about why he doesn’t commit more to the running game. The answer to that is simple. It isn’t the sort of identity he wants for the Chicago Bears offense. He wants to run this organization through the quarterback. It’s only natural. He was a quarterback himself and knows that position is what determines the difference between winners and losers.
However, in order to get the most out of a quarterback, a team needs wide receivers. The Bears know they have one proven stud in Allen Robinson. What they aren’t sure about is if they have anybody else ready to take that next step. By most accounts the overhauled group has looked considerably better than last year with new faces like Darnell Mooney and Ted Ginn Jr. providing some juice.
Nobody though has risen up to dominate practices more consistently than Anthony Miller. The former 2nd round pick had a strong second half of 2019 including a 140-yard explosion in Detroit. Unfortunately, his year ended in a meaningless season finale with another shoulder injury. This has left people wondering if he can keep that momentum he’d built going.
Nagy doesn’t sound the least bit concerned about that.
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Matt Nagy had to see Miller’s highlights every day
Any Bears fan who has watched the highlights of camp practices over the past month will not be shocked by this. Miller’s #17 really began to pop up more and more often with some terrific catches. Wide receiver coach Mike Furrey said midway through last season was when the young man really began to understand how vital the hard work in practice was to achieving results on gameday. Relying on talent alone wasn’t going to cut it in the NFL.
It’s moving time for Miller. He has to start thinking about his future. This is around the time when teams begin considering players for contract extensions. If he can deliver a big year, he’s in line to make himself some serious money. Some feel he’s more than capable of reaching 1,000 yards. That will require staying healthy and playing at the level he was down the stretch last year.
It sounds like Miller is up to the challenge.
