The Chicago Bears are not known for being an offensive team, as their stingy defense was what carried them to 12 wins and an NFC North division title this past season.
However, the Bears offense should be improved heading into 2019 and might actually be a decent unit provided that everything falls into place.
One of those things that need to fall into place is the production of second-year wide receiver Anthony Miller, who had a great first half during his rookie year but then tailed off during the second half of the season.
Miller ended up totaling 33 receptions for 423 yards and seven touchdowns in 2018, with most of that production coming through mid-November. The high point of Miller's season came during a win over the Detroit Lions on Nov. 11, when he hauled in five receptions for 122 yards and a score.
But from that point on, Miller fell off the face of the earth, logging just nine catches for the remainder of the season.
Still, the Bears chose Miller in the second round of the draft last year for a reason, so there is plenty of hope for the 24-year-old heading into 2019, and he could actually be the X-Factor in Chicago's offense.
Of course, the Bears' success offensively will likely boil down to how much Mitchell Trubisky improves under center in Year 3, but Trubisky is obviously going to need some help from his teammates.
Chicago actually has a decent receiving corps, with Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel holding down the No. 1 and 2 spots with Miller and Cordarrelle Patterson fighting for the No. 3 role.
The thing is, Miller has the ability to not just beat out Patterson, but to also pass Gabriel for the No. 2 slot.
Miller was an absolute monster in college at Memphis, logging over 1,400 yards in each of his final two seasons with the Tigers. Obviously, the NFL is a different animal, but Miller is a solid all-around athlete with terrific hands and really good route-running ability, so he has everything he needs to be a successful wide out on the professional level.
Imagine if Robinson stays healthy all season and puts up 1,000 yards, Gabriel does his thing (he caught 67 passes for 688 yards and a couple of touchdowns this past year) and Miller steps up and has a breakout season. Suddenly, the Bears' offense will look pretty good, and we can't forget about tight end Trey Burton or the fact that Chicago could have a three-headed monster of Tarik Cohen, Mike Davis and rookie David Montgomery in the backfield.
Throw in the fact that the Bears have a decent offensive line, and Chicago will be well on its way to having an offense that can at least allow its defense to rest and create some separation.
Assuming Trubisky takes a step forward, Miller could be the guy who ends up taking the Bears offense to another level.
That isn't to put too much pressure on Miller, as other factors (such as Robinson actually staying healthy) are also at play, but there is no doubt that Miller has the talent to really push Chicago's offense and give the Bears a really solid receiving corps that can actually make some defenses sweat.
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