Did The Steelers Give The 49ers A Secret Advantage For Week 1?

While the Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the NFL are solidly immersed in the back half of the preseason, teams are still picking up players to fill holes. Some of these holes were existing ones, some might be ones that arose from an injury at camp or during an exhibition game, and some might be an area of weakness that has revealed itself. Now a former Steelers wide receiver is filling the need for another team. What does that mean for Pittsburgh? Does that give an opponent an edge?

Wide receiver Anthony Miller has been signed by the San Francisco 49ers per Jordan Schultz on Twitter/X. Miller was drafted in 2018 by the Chicago Bears in the second round. During his first three years with the Bears, he garnered a lot of praise. He played in 47 games and had 134 receptions for 1,564 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

It wasn't all positive though, Miller did find himself the source of negative attention for some of his behaviors. During his rookie season, he was ejected from a game after getting in a physical altercation with 49ers safety, Marcell Harris. Harris had hit Bears quarterback (now Steelers backup) Mitch Trubisky as he was sliding and Miller came to his defense. Then in 2020, he was ejected from the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. This time he hit New Orleans Saints cornerback, C.J. Gardner-Johnson.  

He was traded to the Houston Texans in 2021 where he played two games before being released. The Steelers signed him to their practice squad. 

The Steelers promoted him to the active roster in November of 2021. At the start of the 2022 season, he had a season-ending shoulder injury and was placed on injured reserve. He was given a one-year contract extension in January of 2023, but was cut by the Steelers at the end of June of the same year. 

During his almost two years in black and gold, he only played in one game and had one reception for two yards. That did not stop him from getting some attention. Fans always love to find the "new guy" and Miller seemed to be impressing everyone during training camp prior to his injury.

What Does The Anthony Miller Signing Mean For The Steelers?

While there were those who were hoping to see what Miller could do if he got the chance, the Steelers have a pretty packed wide receiver room. As it stands, there is quite a bit of conjecture from fans over who will make it and who won't, with the most likely sure things being veteran Diontae Johnson, second-year phenom George Pickens, and new man Allen Robinson. The others, including Calvin Austin III, Miles Boykin and Gunner Olszewski are battling it out for a spot. 

It feels like a good fit for the 49ers as they are lacking some depth at wide receiver. While they do have Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, there is a possibility Miller can make it to provide backup. Second-year receiver Danny Gray has a sprain in his right shoulder. Miller will join another former Steelers player in San Francisco, Ray-Ray McCloud was signed by them in 2022.  

The Steelers meet the 49ers in Pittsburgh for the first game of the season and it has some wondering if there is a benefit to having two former players on your team. Will Miller and McCloud share some inside information on their former team? Even if it is not specific information on plays, they could share information about player's tendencies and methodologies.  

What do you think about sharing with the new team? How much information do you think players share? Do you think the 49ers have a new advantage over the Steelers for Week 1 with Miller and McCloud on the team? Click to comment below! 

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