(670 The Score) Since the Bears drafted receiver Anthony Miller in the second round in 2018, they've been both patient and firm with him.
Miller has struggled to run the right receiving routes and command his role in the Bears' offense. Combined with injury issues, that has prevented him from becoming the caliber of receiver the team envisioned. Then came Miller's ejection in Chicago's loss at New Orleans in the wild-card round in January, when he followed fellow receiver Javon Wims' antics from two months earlier and punched Saints cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Finally, the Bears' patience with Miller is running thin. It's why they added veteran receivers Marquise Goodwin and Damiere Byrd this offseason. The Bears also selected North Carolina receiver Dazz Newsome in the sixth round of the draft.
"There's going to be some competition," Bears wide receivers coach Mike Furrey said Wednesday. "Now, it’s not going to be a need base. We don’t need you. We got guys that are going to produce, and you better be a pro. You better be on your details. You better do what we're asking you to do."
The Bears' attempts to trade the 26-year-old Miller have fallen flat in recent months, with teams keenly aware of the frustration for him inside Halas Hall. So Miller is back with the Bears for more offseason work -- but they've put him on notice. The same goes for Wims and Riley Ridley, a fourth-round pick in 2019 who has been active for just 10 of 32 regular-season games.
Though Miller has flashed potential at times with 134 catches and 11 touchdowns over three seasons, the Bears expect more of him. They want consistency and professionalism. It hasn't been there, and that's why Furrey didn't mince his words.
As fifth-round pick Darnell Mooney flourished by becoming the Bears' second-leading receiver as a rookie in 2020, it underscored the disappointment with Miller, Wims and Ridley.
In the Bears' game against the Saints last Nov. 1, Furrey told his receivers on the sidelines to not engage with Gardner-Johnson. Wims struck him across the facemask on his first play back on the field after hearing that message. Then came Miller's incident in the playoffs, which followed a 15-minute meeting for the receivers in which Furrey displayed video of how Gardner-Johnson antagonizes opponents and pleaded with his Bears to stay out of the fray.
Miller punched Gardner-Johnson just like Wims did, failing to heed any of his coach's warnings. It was the final bit of embarrassment in the Bears' disheartening season.
Furrey feels Miller has matured this offseason. But does he truly believe it?
"I haven't yet," Furrey said. "You know you've got to see it."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.