Devin Hester unlikely to return to Bears in 2014, per report

Pasquarelli reports the team is unsure as to whether Hester fits within the Bears’ plans, and he is likely to become an unrestricted free agent. The former Miami Hurricane star had previously hinted at retiring when the team and head coach Lovie Smith parted ways, but it appears he is willing to latch on to another team when his deal is up.

Hester has also played wide receiver in his time with the Bears, but is best known as a returner. Last season he caught 23 passes for a career low 242 yards and one touchdown (his second straight season with just one score), and he did not play receiver this year. Instead, he led the league in kick return yardage (1,436 yards on 52 returns) and scored a punt return touchdown.

That kick return mark was a career high for Hester (no doubt inflated by Chicago’s poor defense giving up a lot of points), and his 27.6 average per return was second highest of his career.

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