It’s safe to say the 2020 NFL season will be one Anthony Miller wants to get in his rearview mirror as swiftly as possible. He went into it with such promise, having finished 2019 on a tear. Things were slotting into place. All he had to do was take that final step. Instead? The third-year receiver regressed. Miller finished the season with a disappointing 485 yards and two touchdowns. Both of which were far outpaced by 5th round rookie Darnell Mooney.
Amidst that year were an assortment of troubling signs. Dropped passes at the worst possible times. Lack of awareness on where the 1st down markers were. Frequent indications that he ran the wrong route on given plays. Even a jab from teammates that he was often the last one to arrive at practice. Last but not least? Being expressly told not to confront Saints corner Chauncey Gardner-Johnson before the playoff game in New Orleans. Then punching him anyway.
It’s safe to say people inside Halas Hall aren’t happy with him.
That hasn’t stopped the receiver from continuing to make promises and do a lot of talking on Twitter. It seems one enterprising fan had heard enough. Brite Brasi, owner of the Big N’ Brite Show, called Miller out for critiquing during the NFC Championship game despite having no right to do so given his recent track record.
Miller fired back stating Brasi had no clue what it took to play in the NFL. That was when the show host and disgruntled fan decided to go all in. He basically just started throwing haymakers, calling the Bears receiver mentally weak and too slow to be as great as he claims he is.
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Anthony Miller getting tossed on Twitter too 🤣🤣☠️☠️ pic.twitter.com/hlA8sf6Rze
— Da TailGate Show ™️ (@DaTailGateShow) January 25, 2021
4. Want to know why Anthony Miller can't reach the next level?
Moments like this.
Has a good game up to that point. Eight grabs for 73 yards.
This should be a 7-yarder to set up 3rd and short. Instead, it's a drop.
Great WRs don't make routine plays look difficult. #Bears pic.twitter.com/AmTHjuXwqm
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) November 2, 2020
Anthony Miller just hasn’t found a way to click
He’s far too streaky. He’ll have terrific games for a week or two and then completely disappear for a stretch. There is no consistency to his game. That makes him untrustworthy. Quarterbacks don’t like receivers who are untrustworthy. This is why he was targeted just 11 times over the final five games of the season. Mooney was targeted 27 times over that same span and he missed the playoff game against New Orleans.
That is a clear indicator of how much faith the team lost in the 26-year old. Now there is a genuine buzz going around that the Bears could decide to move on. Especially after George McCaskey gave an icy response in regards to his feelings towards the young receiver and his lack of awareness during such a critical game. Much may depend on what happens with Allen Robinson.
If he does return, then 2021 will be his last stand.
Failing to deliver then would mean he’ll be tagged with the “bust” label in Chicago. Don’t forget Anthony Miller was a big trade acquisition during the 2018 draft. The Bears moved all the way up from the 4th round to the 2nd in order to take him. They had high expectations. He wasn’t shy about declaring his intent to take over the league when he arrived. Is he too much bark and not enough bite? It’s starting to feel that way.