The Zach Miller trade talks have begun. Wait really? At first glance it feels somewhat unusual that the Chicago Bears are trying to deal the tight end. For one he’s 32-years old and is also coming off a season-ending injury. One would think his value is minimal at this point. Then again the allure of a potentially decent receiving tight end is all the rage these days.
Remember this as well. The Bears just got done adding four players to their tight end mix. Dion Sims was signed in free agency. Adam Shaheen was their second round pick in the draft. Franko House and D.J. Johnson are former basketball standouts brought in as undrafted free agents. Such an influx of youth sure makes it look like Miller isn’t long for his time in Chicago.
Former front office executive Michael Lombardi went on The Ringer podcast recently and stated the Bears intended to deal him if they got a top tight end in the draft. That has since come to pass.
Shaheen arrival begins Zach Miller trade plans
“They were at the combine this offseason. They were talking to teams and said, ‘Hey look, if we draft a tight end early we might part with Zach Miller.’ They’ve told that to more than one team. Well now they drafted Adam Shaheen in second round, so here’s the opportunity.
Do you take a chance on him? He’s a free agent in ’18. Again, here’s a guy that you could look at that can come in he’s a plug-and-play player. If you have a need at that position and you feel like you can extend him he’s a perfect guy.”
It’s easy for people to say there is no way Ryan Pace will be able to pull this off. Miller is too old and injury-prone. Sure, but there are other factors in play here. The tight end is on a cheap contract that expires in 2018. Basically they’d pay him $2 million in hopes he can become the weapon he was for the Bears in 2015. If it doesn’t work out, he’s allowed to leave with zero salary cap ramifications.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
There is also the fact that Pace was able to trade guys like Brandon Marshall, Jon Bostic and Ryan Groy. Players whom many thought were untradeable at the time. It’s all about finding the right compensation. Whether that’s a late round pick or another player remains to be seen.