How Jesse James signing with Chicago Bears relates to Anthony Miller

The biggest argument for the Chicago Bears hanging onto Anthony Miller for so long was that they did not have a definitive slot wide receiver to replace him with. However, with the move done now, the team has to have a plan in mind.

They certainly will look to get their star wide-out Allen Robinson matched up in the slot a bit more than the year prior. However, the biggest reason the Bears may be ok to lose a starting slot with minimal slots to replace him is because of their tight end situation.

We have known for years that Matt Nagy has wanted to get not only two but at times three tight ends on the field. He tried last season but with Cole Kmet being a rookie and Demetrius Harris not being up to snuff, the plan was abandoned. Now, Matt Nagy has to feel he has the players to run two and three tight ends to the point where he does not need a prominent slot wide receiver.

That is capped off by the signing of Jesse James not long after the trade of Miller. With Kmet entering year two it is clear that he is now the team’s top tight end. What they like about him is that they can ride him as the in-line blocker, but also that they can flex him into the slot.

With Jimmy Graham, they have a second tight end option, but all of his snaps next season should come as a second tight end, and most should come with him lined up in that slot role. While Graham will get his share, it will be hard to flex Kmet into the slot when Graham is taking that role. With that in mind, Jesse James comes in.

Jesse James is an in-line tight end who very rarely will be seen in the slot. So, in two tight end sets he could line up next to a tackle, and it can make Kmet more of a moveable piece. Beyond that, they have three tight ends and can run personnel looks with just one wide receiver. At the very least, Jesse James is a definitive upgrade over Demetrius Harris.

The Bears did not quite pick up a slot wide receiver when they traded Anthony Miller, but adding Jesse James it gives Jimmy Graham and Cole Kmet more slot opportunities, which in turn would make Miller more expendable.