Anthony Miller came dangerously close to watching his NFL career slowly spiral down the tube. After such a promising rookie season in 2018, he was floundering through the first half of 2019. He had just 218 yards in his first nine games. Many felt he was proving to be a lot of talk but unable to back up his words. He was dropping passes, running the wrong routes and just looking out of sorts way too often.
Then something just seemed to change. Miller had a decent game in Los Angeles before delivering some nice catches against the New York Giants to get the Chicago Bears back in the win column. Then he delivered the best performance of his career in Detroit against the Lions, going for 140 yards. People are left wondering how this turnaround came about. When asked about it, the young receiver gives most of the credit to quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
His unwavering support was a huge part of Miller being able to get himself back on track.
“When we’re out on that field, he’ll tell you. We talk to each other, we motivate each other, well tell each other, ‘Let’s go, we got to pick it up.’ He tells me what I can do better, I tell him when I feel like I’m open. I feel like this chemistry is just getting better and better each and every game, each and every practice.”
Anthony Miller is emerging at the perfect time
The timing of all this is what stands out. Miller found his stride right when the Bears’ season was on the brink. His two big catches in the 4th quarter against Detroit set up the winning touchdown and he also delivered a decisive blow against the Dallas Cowboys last week. He has 313 yards and a touchdown in just the past four games. A massive uptick in productivity that couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment.
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His emergence along with the steady presence of Allen Robinson has made the Bears passing game something defenses must respect. This has, in turn, opened up opportunities for others. It’s likely what the team hoped would happen when they drafted Miller in the 2nd round last year. This Sunday in Green Bay will be a telling one. The last time he faced the Packers, they held him without a single catch. No doubt that is something stuck in his mind.
