The Pittsburgh Steelers initially signed WR Anthony Miller to the practice squad last season in October. Miller was traded from the Chicago Bears to the Houston Texans in the offseason before being released by the Texans in October of last season, allowing the Steelers a chance to add him to their practice squad. A former second round pick he totaled 134 catches for 1,564 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns during his three seasons with the Bears. Miller is looking to earn his stripes in the black and gold and earn a roster spot when Training Camp opens up in July.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Anthony Miller (#17) participates in the Organizes Team Activities (OTAs), Thursday, June 9, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.(Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Miller is vying for a roster spot just two seasons removed from being the Bears number 2 receiver. Miller is confident he can earn a roster spot with the Steelers this season, though.
"“I love…” Miller said earlier this month, before pausing, “I like me over everybody. We are all competing. We are all getting better, but I am coming for that spot. That’s what it is.”
The Steelers wide receivers' room had a complete makeover this offseason with additions and subtractions taking place from the top of the depth chart all the way down.
Departures:
Additions:
You're right! That's an entire new room, leaving WR1 Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool as the only "proven" guys in the locker room at the position.
So, how can Miller snag a roster spot? Doing what he does best, producing on the field! Miller is no slouch by any means. He has more career receptions and touchdowns than Claypool, but he does have two more accrued season than Claypool, due to being drafted two years prior to Claypool's entrance into the league in 2020. However, the majority of his production was over the course of 3 seasons due to 2021 being a year he only caught 6 passes for 25 yards and a touchdown while only playing in 3 games for the Texans and the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Anthony Miller (#17) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2022 Minicamp, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Miller is humbled due to his falling from being a 2nd round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, being the Bears number 2 receiver, to now, fighting for a roster spot.
“It’s definitely a different situation than from when I just got into the league,” Miller said at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex after a Steelers minicamp practice this month. “I was a second-round pick, so to go from that to now in the position where I’m doing everything I can just to make the team, it’s definitely a humbling experience.”“I feel like I’m better than I was before,” Miller said. “I feel like I’m more mature in my career within my position and also on the details of playing the game. Now I think I’ve sharpened those up, and I’m ready to go out there and play the best I can.”
Current Steelers' QB Mitch Trubisky (#10) and WR Anthony Miller (#17) celebrate a score in Chicago (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Miller knows his best play to make the team is the slot WR spot for the Steelers!
“My whole career, I’ve played in the slot,” Miller said. “I’ve had a lot of success in slot, and I feel like I have learned even more about the slot position, even after not playing last year. I got to sit back and observe some guys and watch them from afar, and I definitely appreciated that and now get to implement what I saw.”
Miller's best season came with former Bears and now Steelers' QB Mitch Trubisky. The receiver caught 52 passes for 656 yards and two touchdowns in 2019. Hopefully, the Steelers can get the connection going between these two former Bears.
However, Miller is willing to play anywhere and any WR position that will get him as many opportunities as possible!
“I feel like I am just a football player. I can play anything,” Miller said. “I just have to take advantage of all the opportunities that I get, no matter what position.”
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Anthony Miller (#17) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2022 Minicamp, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
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