Chicago Bears do right thing in re-signing Zach Miller
The Chicago Bears could have left Zach Miller out in the cold now that his playing career might be over. Instead, they showed him that they have his back.
When Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller suffered his gruesome leg injury while catching (what should have been) a touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints last year, we were reminded of how fickle life can be in the NFL. Just one play can end your season or your career.
More than that, this particular injury almost cost Miller his leg. In fact, he hadn’t been treated quickly enough, there was a nonzero chance that he could’ve lost his life. If he ever plays again, it will be an incredible story.
With Miller being a free agent, the Chicago Bears easily could have washed their hands of him now that his usefulness on the field is all but over.
But Ryan Pace and the Bears organization showed today that they’re about more than just the bottom line. And they’re capable of caring about their players beyond just what they can do on the field.
The Bears are signing TE Zach Miller to a one-year contract for the veteran minimum, even though it's very doubtful he will be able to play. Class move.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 4, 2018
As reported by ProFootballTalk, the Chicago Bears re-signed Miller to a one-year contract. And they did it despite the fact that he in all likelihood won’t play a down of football this year or ever again.
Under this contract, the Bears will pay Miller a base salary of $458,000 in 2018. And, if by some miracle Miller does manage to play this season, the deal will jump to $790,000.
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Again, he won’t play in 2018. He’s come back from a lot of tough injury situations, but this is a different beast. So the Bears know they’re basically just paying him to cheerlead.
And that’s perfectly okay. In fact, it’s one of the classiest things the Chicago Bears have done in years.
Not only will Miller get paid, he’ll also retain access to the Bears’ medical staff and treatment facilities as he manages his recovery. For all the jokes and such we tell about the Bears’ staff, that’s still a huge deal.
Plus, it gives him time to figure out what his next step will be. He’s unsure at this point about retirement and may try to return to the field, though it won’t be with the Bears. But if he decides to retire, he’ll have time to seek his next occupation, whether it be in a front-office role, on a coaching staff or in a broadcast booth. Miller’s smarts and personality will allow him to succeed in whatever role he enters next.
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But until then, he knows he has the support of the Chicago Bears. And that’s a huge deal in a profession as unforgiving and cutthroat as the NFL can be.