Zach Miller Becomes Top Priority for Chicago Bears in Free Agency
After having an injury-plagued span prior to the 2015 season, tight end Zach Miller had his best year in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. Miller finished the season leading the Bears with five receiving touchdowns, to go along with career-highs of 34 receptions and 439 receiving yards. Miller’s breakout year couldn’t have come at a better time for him. He’s currently an unrestricted free agent, and is looking for a big payday.
With larger priorities entering the free-agent period, Bears general manager Ryan Pace allowed Miller to test the free-agent market. It turns out that the Los Angeles Rams have shown interest in Miller, and has set up a visit to meet with the seven-year veteran. This scenario definitely should raise the antenna of Pace and the rest of Chicago’s front office.
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This past week, the Bears invited tight end Jermaine Gresham to Halas Hall in hopes to lure him to the Windy City, but Gresham opted to re-sign with the Arizona Cardinals, reportedly for less money. And with the strong possibility of Martellus Bennett still being traded, the tight end position could end up being the biggest void to fill for the Bears before the start of the 2016 regular season.
There aren’t many names at the tight end position that jumps out when looking at the remaining free agents in the league. Both Owen Daniels and Vernon Davis, who are entering their 11th year in the NFL, are probably the most-known available tight ends as of right now. However, neither one are considered long-term answers in the event that both Miller and Bennett leave Chicago.
The same can be said about the lack of big names when evaluating the class of tight ends who will be in this year’s draft. With other positions like defensive end, offensive tackle, cornerback, safety, and quarterback to worry about, I highly doubt that the Bears will invest one of their early-round picks on a tight end. At best, they will think about drafting one during the latter part of the draft strictly for special teams purposes, and possibly to groom him for the future.
Thus far this offseason, Chicago has re-signed seven of their players, which includes wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (franchise tag tender), cornerback Tracy Porter, and running back Jacquizz Rodgers. While Miller may be one of the more expensive players to re-sign, he must be a priority.
The pickings are slim at tight end in both free agency and the draft. If by chance Miller leaves Los Angeles without inking a deal with the Rams, the Bears must do whatever they can to make sure that he’s in the Windy City for 2016.