NEW ORLEANS — Anthony Miller’s ejection from the Bears’ playoff game was a fitting end to his underwhelming season — and perhaps his time with the team.
The season began with the Bears promising Miller was finally on top of the playbook, though he immediately fell behind rookie Darnell Mooney in the wide receiver pecking order, and it closed abruptly when he punched Saints safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson early in the third quarter of a 21-9 loss.
Gardner-Johnson said something to Miller after a play, and Miller turned and hit him in the facemask. Both players were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, but a punch is grounds for ejection.
Gardner-Johnson is a known agitator, and — incredibly — coach Matt Nagy said the team devoted an entire meeting to his tactics Wednesday morning to emphasize resisting being baited into a costly confrontation with him.
“That’s taking 10 or 15 minutes out of your day, which is precious,” Nagy said. “We’ve got to be stronger and we can’t have that happen.”
Nagy said he hopes players learn from it, but Miller should’ve already. The same thing happened in their November game against the Saints, when fellow receiver Javon Wims was ejected and suspended two games for punching Gardner-Johnson.
When Miller was asked Thursday about Gardner-Johnson, he initially responded with, “Who?” Then he said, “We’re just going to play our game. Guys like that do what they do, but your bark can’t be louder than your bite, and it’s hard to bite, so I’m not worried about that.”
Miller’s lapse was especially irresponsible given that the Bears were missing Mooney due to an ankle injury. Miller’s ejection left them with Allen Robinson, Wims, Riley Ridley and punt returner DeAndre Carter at receiver.
In what was originally touted — again — as an anticipated breakthrough season for Miller, he finished with fewer catches (49) and yards (485) than last season and had two touchdowns. He also saw his playing time cut from 64% to 55% of the snaps.
Bears general manager Ryan Pace traded up to draft Miller No. 51 overall in 2018. He has one year, $1.7 million left on his contract.
