Chicago Bears Re-Sign TE Zach Miller

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace continued his strong off-season today by re-signing tight end Zach Miller to a two-year, $6M deal with another $2M in possible incentives. Considering that Miller was rumored to be asking for $5M per season, this seems like another win for Pace and the Bears.

Miller has had an injury-plagued career, but managed to stay healthy in 2015 and had a breakout season with 34 receptions for 434 yards and 5 touchdowns. Miller quickly developed a rapport with QB Jay Cutler and showed the ability to be both a reliable check down receiver and a big play threat as he proved in the clip below when he took a short pass for an 87-yard TD against the Rams.

Despite Miller’s productive season, it was the first time he was able to play an NFL game since 2011 due to a number of different injuries. His inability to stay healthy probably made teams wary of meeting Miller’s contract demands, so he came back to the Bears, who to their credit have been patient with Miller during his last two seasons on injured reserve. Miller should see plenty of playing time with the Bears this year and already has a good relationship with QB Jay Cutler.

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The re-signing of Miller could also lead to the trade of disgruntled tight end Martellus Bennett. The Bears new brass has shown very little tolerance for locker room distractions and Bennett has been one for most of his career. The trade of Bennett would make Miller the starting TE and could lead to an even more productive season in 2016, assuming of course that he can stay healthy.

The Bears added some additional tight end depth when they re-signed TE Rob Housler earlier today. Housler, 27, joined the Bears in early December and played sparingly in four games. He caught three passes for 27 yards in his brief stint with the Bears last year. Housler’s career is actually very similar to Miller’s in that he’s an above-average athlete and receiving TE, who just hasn’t been able to stay healthy since being drafted in the third round of the 2011 draft. Hopefully between the two of them, one will make it through the season in one-piece and give the Bears a reliable receiving option at tight end.