The Detroit Lions under head coach Dan Campbell are almost always in the market for wide receivers. After the 2026 NFL Draft, they might be pursuing the same veteran wideout as the Chicago Bears.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday the Lions hosted wide receiver Scotty Miller on a free agency visit. Schefter added in his report on social media that Miller is set to try out for former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the Bears next week.
Miller spent the past two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had 14 catches for 131 yards combined in the two campaigns.
Miller’s best NFL season came when Tom Brady was his quarterback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2020, Miller posted career highs of 33 receptions, 501 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
The 28-year-old wideout has spent seven seasons in the NFL. He has 99 catches, 1,216 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 93 games.
Dan Campbell, Lions Host Scotty Miller on NFL Free Agency Visit: Report
The Lions added another receiver in Kentucky’s Kendrick Law at No. 168 overall in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Law is the fifth receiver the team has added through the draft since 2021.
Two of those wideouts are the team’s starters at the position — Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Another is up-and-coming former third-rounder Isaac TeSlaa.
But this year, the Lions haven’t used undrafted free agency to add receiver depth. They might prefer, instead, to add a veteran such as Miller.
Miller has played at least 13 contests in each of the past four years. He only started two games during that stretch, but he’s filled a variety of roles, including some on special teams.
During his final season with the Buccaneers, Miller played 258 offensive snaps and a career-high 133 on special teams in 2022. Miller then lined up for 267 offensive snaps and 107 special teams snaps with the Atlanta Falcons during 2023.
With the Steelers, the wideout didn’t play much on special teams. But he averaged 184 offensive snaps per season in 2024-25.
In Detroit, Miller would become one of the more experience receivers on the roster. He could also compete for a returner role and/or contribute on special teams.
Miller returned two punts last season for Pittsburgh.
Could Miller Land With the Chicago Bears?
The most intriguing wrinkle in Detroit expressing interest in Miller is the fact the organization’s former OC and an NFC North rival is also intrigued with possibly signing Miller.
This is hardly the first time that’s happened. Given the closeness of the team’s two offensive styles and the familiarity Johnson has with Lions players, it’s natural Chicago has become a suitor for similar players as Detroit.
That’s only added to the Lions-Bears rivalry over the past 15 months.
If the Lions are serious about bringing in Miller, it would likely be best for them to sign the veteran wideout before his tryout in Chicago.
As of Tuesday, the Lions have nine receivers on their offseason depth chart. In addition to St. Brown, Williams, TeSlaa and Law, Detroit possesses Tom Kennedy, Greg Dortch, Dominic Lovett, Malik Cunningham and Jackson Meeks at wideout.
Lions’ Dan Campbell Potentially Competing With Ben Johnson, Bears for Veteran WR