Hester only holding out because the Bears are, too
All-Pro return man and wide receiver Devin Hester has decided to skip the Bears’ first day of training camp. Hester, the third-year pro, is due to make $445,000 this year – far less than what any two-time Pro Bowler should be making.
The Bears are expected to fine Hester $15,000 a day until he shows, but they’d be smarter to actively pursue a contract resolution. Without a doubt, Hester brings an exciting, game-changing ability to an offense that sorely needs it. His 11 career return touchdowns are fourth most in NFL history.
Bottom line is if Hester is indeed expected to vie for a more significant role in the passing game — which Bears coaches have indicated is true — he needs to be out on the field right now.
Hester is great, but he’s a special teams player with no significant experience as a wideout. How much more is that worth? This might be a tough one for management to figure out.
I have been reading alot of bolgs and many of the people writing just say pay the guy. Pay him what? The 45M 6 yr deal he wants? Are you crazy? The only thing he’s proven about the WR position is that he’s never sure where to line up or what the play call is, he is prone to fumbling (15 fumbles in 2 yrs. Hey Cribbs has 12 in 3 yrs for comparison sake), he’s certainly not the smartest guy in the world. The Bears have offered to make him the highest paid special teamer ever in the NFL with a bump that pays him No.1 receiver money if he develops at WR. What more does he want? By the way, if we do give him what he wants and he can’t cut it at WR, the Bears are stuck with another non performer making big money.
The Bears offer is fair and he needs to get his ass to camp. This thing has Deion Sanders written all over it. I hope the Bears stick to their guns.
Hester has scored more touchdowns than any bear in the last two years. Add in the fact that the bears usally have great field position when teams don’t kick to him, and I’d say he is the most important person on the bears team! Believe me, as an EAGLE’s fan, I know the importance of special teams. Our’s sucked, and it cost us at least 3 or 4 games last year. Thats the difference between our 8-8 record and 12-4! Pay the man, or trade him to the EAGLES!
I reckon this: If the Bears expect him to take a bigger role and play as a wideout, they should be willing to pay more. Especially considering his high ceiling and past performance.
Value Adjusted, you’re right. He def. deserves more money, but like many of the readers have said: how much?
I think the best way to go is an incentive-laden contract. Pay him as the league’s highest special teamer and add bonus opportunities for catching x amount of balls and gaining x amount of yards…etc.