Thank the higher powers above that Devin Hester’s wobbly hamstring healed just enough for him to sign a 4 year extension for a reported $40 million dollars, with a guaranteed $15 million. The contract also has another $10 million in incentives if Hester develops into a #1 receiver, for which he has the potential to accomplish.
(Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune)
Word on the street is that the Hester deal has all the I’s dotted and T’s crossed:
- David Haugh from the Chicago Tribune reports that “Hester becomes the 10th Bears starter and fifth Pro Bowl player the Bears have signed to a contract extension this off-season. It is believed this new contract will make Hester the highest-paid return man in NFL history.”
- David Haugh also reports that Hester is at the top of the list of recent Chicago Bears re-signed by Chicago Bears GM Jerry Angelo.
- Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times reveals that “[Hester's] extension adds four new years for Hester meaning he is a Bear through 2013. He was under contract through 2009 and he is the first player with a four-year contract for the Bears to get new money after only two seasons.”
- ESPN reports that “This [contract] was probably the most difficult one we’ve had to do and probably ever will do because we’re not only rewarding a special player,” Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. “If you look at it as a returner, we blew that [money total] out of the water. It was now looking at him as what he might be or could be as a receiver. That’s where the real difficulties were and a real challenge.”
Any way you look at it, it seems that Devin Hester is happy (and potentially $40M richer) and the Bears are happy (a difficult, challenging, but creative and fair contract). Hester celebrated by catching a 40-yd pass from QB Rex Grossman in Sunday afternoon’s practice. Seems as though the hammy is healed.
Other Devin Hester commentary:
- Windy City Gridiron notes that “[Bears] check another off theirs list” with the Hester signing.
- Matt Loede from Bearsgab.com notes that “We’ll see now with a lot more cash in his pocket if that hamstring suddenly feels better today”
- AOL Sports Fanhouse reports that “virtually everyone things [Hester signing] is a good move.”
