The NFL offseason continues to bring roster updates, and this past weekend brought news for Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans. On May 9, 2026, Scotty Miller, the veteran wide receiver and Super Bowl LV champion once known for a clutch touchdown catch in the 2020 NFC Championship Game, signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears.
Miller's Journey Back to the Bears
The Chicago Bears officially announced the signing after Miller impressed during their rookie minicamp tryout earlier in May. This marks Miller's second tenure with the Bears after spending the 2022 season in Chicago. Now 29 years old, Miller returns to a Bears team coming off a strong 12-5 season in 2025, which included a playoff appearance. The Bears have built a young, talented offense featuring quarterback Caleb Williams and key receivers such as DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and tight end Cole Kmet. Miller is expected to provide veteran depth in the slot and contribute heavily on special teams.
Miller was originally drafted by the Buccaneers in the sixth round (208th overall) in 2019 out of Bowling Green. Though undersized at 5-foot-9 and 174 pounds, he carved out a role as a deep-threat receiver with elite straight-line speed, running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His most memorable moment came in the 2020 NFC Championship Game, when Tom Brady found him streaking across the field for a 39-yard touchdown that helped Tampa Bay defeat the Green Bay Packers and punch their ticket to Super Bowl LV.
Career Snapshot: From Tampa Bay to Now
Scotty Miller's NFL career has been a journey through multiple teams following his initial success in Tampa Bay. After playing four seasons with the Buccaneers (2019-2022), where he recorded his best statistical year in 2020 with 33 catches for 501 yards and 3 touchdowns, Miller's production tapered off. In 2021, he logged 19 receptions, and during his first Bears stint in 2022, he caught just six passes.
Following Chicago, Miller signed with the Atlanta Falcons for the 2023 season. There, he appeared in all 16 games but managed only 11 receptions for 130 yards. His latest stop before returning to Chicago was with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, where he primarily contributed on special teams and served as a depth option receiver.
What Miller Adds to the Bears
While Miller's recent receiving stats suggest he won't be a primary downfield target, his value lies in his experience, speed, and versatility. With 93 career games under his belt--including 19 playoff appearances and a Super Bowl ring--he brings a wealth of knowledge from playing alongside future Hall of Famers such as Tom Brady.
Miller's special teams prowess is a key asset for the Bears. He excels as a punt returner and gunner on coverage units, roles becoming increasingly important in the evolving NFL special teams landscape. His ability to line up both outside and in the slot offers Chicago flexibility to adapt to injuries or tactical adjustments.
The Buccaneers' Receiving Corps Today
Though Miller's signing is a 2026 event and he has not been with the Buccaneers for several years, it provides an opportunity to assess Tampa Bay's current wide receiver situation. The Bucs' receiver room is anchored by Chris Godwin, one of the most consistent and dynamic receivers in the league. Godwin, who is under contract through 2026, remains the team's clear WR1 option.
The Buccaneers have emphasized youth development at the receiver position. First-round second-year Emeka Egbuka, drafted in 2025 out of Ohio State, is expected to take on a significant role with his polished route running and reliable hands. Jalen McMillan, a 2025 draft pick, continues to develop his speed and vertical threat capabilities.
Additional depth includes Tez Johnson, a dynamic slot receiver from Oregon, and Kameron Johnson, an undrafted free agent who impressed during organized team activities. Veterans such as Dennis Houston and David Sills round out the receiving corps. Notably, the Bucs chose not to sign a veteran receiver this offseason, signaling confidence in their youth and stability with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who enters his third Tampa Bay season.
Broader Implications for Tampa Bay
Scotty Miller's signing with Chicago has minimal direct impact on the Buccaneers. The NFC South and NFC North do not play each other during the 2026 regular season, and a postseason meeting is possible but not guaranteed. However, the signing underscores a broader narrative: the Buccaneers' championship roster of 2020 has evolved considerably.
Several key contributors from that roster, including Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, and Leonard Fournette, have moved on. The Buccaneers have shifted their strategy toward youth, efficiency, and cap management, focusing on homegrown talent and the draft to sustain competitiveness. This approach has yielded strong results, with Tampa Bay winning the NFC South four times in the past five seasons and poised to contend again in 2026.
Reflecting on Scotty Miller's Legacy
For Buccaneers fans, Scotty Miller's name will always be associated with a landmark moment in franchise history. His 39-yard touchdown catch in the 2020 NFC Championship game symbolized the Bucs' transformation into a championship-caliber team. Though Miller's career has been more of a journeyman's path since then, he has earned respect for his persistence, speed, and team-first mentality.
Miller's return to the Bears offers him a chance to extend his NFL career and provide leadership to a rising squad hungry for playoff success and possibly a Super Bowl appearance. For Bucs fans, it's a reminder of the championship past and the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL.
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to build around their youthful receiving talent and a stabilizing quarterback situation, Scotty Miller's chapter in the organization remains a cherished memory and a touchstone for the franchise's recent golden era.
We will continue to monitor Miller's performance with the Bears and the ongoing evolution of the Buccaneers' roster as the 2026 season approaches. For now, Miller's signing marks another interesting subplot in an eventful NFL offseason.
