Chicago Bears Roster Review: Possible Performance and Cap Casualties

Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Robert Ayers (91) for a safety in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Robert Ayers (91) for a safety in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Oct 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller (86) makes a catch against Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller (86) makes a catch against Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Another controversial move the Bears could make this off-season could be doing something with Zach Miller.  Granted, he is the best tight end they have right now but if they were to draft one or sign a good free agent things could change.

Miller is a decent player but he has struggled with injuries during his career both with the Bears and with Jacksonville.  He came to Chicago in 2015 and missed one game (started 14).  In 2016, he headed to injured reserve with an injury after playing in ten games with eight starts.

Once again, the Bears are faced with keeping a player who can’t play a full season.  Yes, injuries are almost always hard to predict or control but when a player has a track record of having them it becomes an issue.  Then you must consider how much money you are paying that player to be on injured reserve.  Sometimes it doesn’t make financial sense to keep someone like that.

The good thing about Miller is that he is cheap.  He signed a two-year deal in 2015 and next year he will make $1,500,000 with a $500,000 roster bonus and a $500,000 signing bonus.  That means that he’s worth $2,500,000 in 2017.  If the Bears were to release him he would count for just $500,000 against the cap.

It might be advisable for the Bears to keep Miller while attempting to find another tight end to become the primary starter.  He is a reliable and productive tight end but just can’t stay on the field consistently.  Give him one more season, the final season of his contract to play and try to find his replacement this off-season or the next.