Zach Miller, Bears to Agree to Reported 1-Year Contract After TE Nearly Lost Leg

The Chicago Bears and tight end Zach Miller, who nearly lost his leg after suffering a dislocated left knee last October, have agreed to a contract.

The Bears announced the deal after Pro Football Talk reported the contract is for one year and the veteran's minimum.

Miller is not expected to play this season after the knee dislocation, which also led to a torn artery that could have resulted in an amputation. He underwent vascular surgery to save the leg and has been in rehabilitation for the last seven months.

It's unclear whether Miller will be able to play football again.

"That's a realistic thing, I know that," Miller said of retirement, per Madeline Kenney of the Chicago Sun-Times. "I haven't made any of those decisions as of yet. I know that there will be a point where I have to decide … but I'm not at that spot yet to determine whether I want to come back and try to play or if it's time to move on or even if I can do that."

The contract will pay Miller $458,000 if he does not play during the 2018 season. It will also allow the team to cover his medical bills by keeping him on as an active player, thus putting him on their CBA-mandated health plan.

More than anything, this feels like a classy move from the Bears to provide Miller with a salary and health benefits while he spends much of 2018 recovering. If he ever does make a full comeback, odds are it will be in a Bears uniform.