The Facts: Miller is recovering from his second shoulder surgery in as many offseasons, so he knows the drill. And as he works his way back to health, he has hopes that he’ll be able to make a big step this season. “I feel like this is going to be my best year yet,” Miller said. “I’ve matured a lot on the field and I’ve gained a lot of knowledge, especially this offseason. I’ve been studying up a lot on other players and seeing what they do so I can enhance my game.”

Diehards Line:Miller was hurt while returning a kick in a meaningless Week 17 game (only out there because Cordarrelle Patterson was injured), calling it a “freak accident.” But they immediately knew he needed surgery, and now he’s going about the business of rehabbing without a fully equipped training staff. He’s still not to the point of being able to catch passes, but there is time before he’ll need to. Remember, with Taylor Gabriel out due to concussion late in the year, Miller had a five-game stretch in which he had 33 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns. But the Bears want to see such play more consistently for him to play a bigger role behind top receiver Allen Robinson. That’s where studying this offseason comes in. Steve Smith, Isaac Bruce and Stefon Diggs are among those he likes to examine. Beyond that, GM Ryan Pace said the Bears expect Miller to be ready for training camp, though Miller has learned not to make promises. “Just knowing I had to go through this again ... another series of seven months getting everything right again (is the challenge),” Miller said. “I have to spend the offseason rehabbing. I would like to do other things, but this is what’s going on now. So this is what I deal with."