Hub Arkush: It's getting more likely that Anthony Miller will be back
According to a huge segment of the Chicago Bears universe, there was no way at the end of last season general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy could survive.
We also heard their only shot at redemption was to gut the current roster and pay whatever their teams wanted for either Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson.
Four months later, not only are Watson and Wilson still in Houston and Seattle where they were always certain to stay, Pace and Nagy are still here after pulling off a couple of stunning trades dealing with quarterback and offensive line issues and basically changed the entire narrative around their football team.
Another story we heard was the Bears needed to consider drafting a wide receiver in the first round.
They did draft Dazz Newsome in the sixth round, but he's as likely to make the practice squad as the final 53.
Wide receiver concerns were around replacing Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller, who almost every Bears fan and their brother were positive would be gone.
But, after visiting with Nagy on the final day of rookie minicamp, you know what? It's feeling more likely every day that Miller will be back.
To be sure, it is Miller himself who created all the doubt due to the mental aspects of his game, but it sure feels like Nagy has no plans to give up on him anytime soon.
Asked about Miller's status just last week, wide receivers coach Mike Furrey said, "He's growing up and so he's, you know, he's doing his job. You know he's maturing.
"He's understanding all the things that we've talked about really for the last couple years.
"There's a small increment in improvement, so he's done great, he's been in our rooms, no issues."
Furrey also added: "And know it's not going to be a need base, you know we don't need you. We've got guys that are going to be able to produce. You better be a pro, you better be on your details, you better do what we're asking you to do."
It's fair to say not exactly a ringing endorsement.
And that's why it really caught my attention when in the middle of answering a question Sunday about Newsome, Nagy switched the topic dead in his tracks and told us, "I know the other day that there was something that was said in regards to coach Furrey with, 'We don't need you' you know, talking about the whole Anthony Miller thing.
"That wasn't what Mike was trying to say about Anthony Miller. His message was about the depth that we have at that position.
"It's going to be awesome to see the competition. So it's Anthony included, we've had some great talks.
"He's super motivated to have a great off-season and training camp and control what he can control. But I know that that was kind of a big deal the other day and I just wanted to kind of try to clear that up and say that Anthony has been doing a (heck) of a job and he's going to compete with the rest of these guys."
No, Nagy clearly didn't guarantee him a roster spot, but think about it. Robinson, Darnell Mooney, Marquise Goodwin and Damiere Byrd are going to make the team, leaving Miller, Newsome, Riley Ridley and Javon Wims to compete for one or two spots.
Remember after trading up to get him, Miller cost the Bears two second-round picks and a fourth, and it seems unlikely after quieting many of the haters Pace wants to offer them new ammunition like three more wasted high picks.
Of that foursome, Miller is the best prospect in the slot and outside, and he's the only one who can play both at this level.
The stats - 134-1,564, 11 touchdowns - in his first three seasons, plus return ability, isn't what the Bears hoped for with what he cost them, but it's a long way from failure, too.
Lastly, let's be honest.
Newsome, Ridley and Wims aren't close to Miller as prospects.
Short of some new issue, which Miller has proved quite capable of, it appears more likely every day that his departure is one more "sure thing" looking less and less likely every day.
• Twitter: @Hub_Arkush