Although James appears to have the most upside of the bunch, it seems unlikely that any of these three are capable of being the Steelers starting TE for the 2016 season.
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Miller retired in typically understated fashion Friday, ending an 11-year career featuring a pair of National Football League championships while winning over his teammates and an ardent fan base with his work ethic and reliability. He compiled 592 receptions, 6,569 receiving yards, and 45 touchdowns, which are all best for a tight end in franchise history. In his 22 career matchups with the Bengals (postseason included), Miller caught 84 passes, tallying 745 yards and four touchdowns. Miller ended his college career with ACC records for most career receptions (144), yards (1,703) and touchdowns (20) for a tight end. He ranks ninth all-time in receiving yards for a tight end as well.
The chants of “HEEEEEAAAAAATH” will fade from Heinz Field in 2016. Miller was an incredibly durable tight end, missing only eight games in his entire career.
“Heath Miller was as great a combination of character and football player as I have ever been around”, said General Manager Kevin Colbert. At the time, as tight ends were becoming more and more expected to contribute as receivers, Miller said he wanted to be as productive as all of them.
2015: The Steelers chose Bud Dupree with the No. 22 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Heath Miller stood at his locker last month, the sting of a playoff loss at Denver still fresh in the Pittsburgh Steelers tight end’s mind. On behalf of the entire Steelers organization and Steelers Nation around the world, I would like to congratulate and thank Heath of his many contributions to the Steelers. A player with outstanding situational awareness and disciplined route-running, Miller was often a target for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in big moments. He was still effective in 2015, with 60 catches for 535 yards and two touchdowns.
Miller released a hearfelt statement shortly after the news broke. In 2004, Miller would win the John Mackey Award which is awarded to the country’s best tight end and he would be a unanimous All-American.
James was in elementary school when Miller was a rookie in 2005, when the Steelers won Super Bowl XL. Matt Spaeth and Jesse James will get the first crack at replacing Miller.
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Despite his age, Miller still had a good season previous year.
