Chicago Bears could sweep Rookie of the Year awards

Miller poised for a big year

While Miller may have longer odds to take home the trophy, it is not impossible to imagine him winning the award. Although the competition on the offensive side of the ball is much tougher with Saquon Barkley leading the charge, Miller could be the biggest beneficiary of Matt Nagy’s offense. I can’t believe I’m saying this about a Bears’ wide receiver corps, but they are so deep this year.

For the purposes of this argument, I am lumping in tight ends as “receiving options” to illustrate the number of weapons Mitch Trubisky will have this season.

At this moment, the Bears have Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen (when he returns), Kevin White, and Miller as locks. You can likely add Javon Wims and Josh Bellamy to that mix. Although not on the same level as the first group, those last two players still give them considerable depth.

So what’s my point? The defense is going to have to decide who to key-on to shut down. Unlike in year’s past, even if the defense focuses on shutting down the Bears’ top target(s), there are plenty of others to step up. This is where Miller could flourish.

As teams focus on stopping Robinson and Burton, that will leave Miller open to do his thing. An exceptional route runner, it won’t take much for him to get open. Going up against the team’s second or third best defensive back will only make it easier. Miller could put up huge numbers as a result.

Throughout the preseason — even when going against the Bears’ starters — he has shined. Prior to the draft, I profiled Miller as a player the Bears should target. In that piece, I likened Miller’s upside to Jarvis Landry. There were some who even compared Miller to a young Antonio Brown.

The more I watch, the more I think the Brown comparison is apter than my own. If that’s true, then Offensive Rookie of the Year might be merely the first of many future honors for No. 17.