Packers Could An Option For Devin Hester?

Update:

Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com writes that, depending on the market for former Bears KR Devin Hester, there is a chance that the Packers could have interest in signing him if his asking price drops.

Demovsky, citing an NFL personnel evaluator whose team has discussed the possibility of going after Hester, reports that he is currently looking for a deal that would pay him close to $4-million annually.

• Demovsky mentions that this is likely too high for teams with interest in signing Hester.
• Green Bay would reportedly like to upgrade their return specialist next season and and no longer use WR Randall Cobb as a return.

This is just an idea proposed by Demovsky, but there is at least a chance that the Packers could consider him at a reasonable price.

Hester is visiting with the Falcons Tuesday and has said that he would like to play for the Dolphins. Other teams are believed to have interest in him as well, so there is no guarantee that he’ll even be in the Packers price range.

Hester, 31, produced by far the most kick return yards in single season of his career last year with 1,442. He also totaled 256 punt return yards and a touchdown for the Bears in 2013.

Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 6 kick returner in the league last season.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that free agent KR Devin Hester is visiting the Falcons on Tuesday.

This is Hester’s first official visit with a team since free agency got underway a week ago.

The Dolphins, Buccaneers, Panthers and Chiefs have up as other potential options for Hester, so we’ll have to see if he has more visits lined following his meeting with the Falcons.

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According to free agent KR Devin Hester. the Miami Dolphins have been in contact with his agent in recent days.

“I would love to play for the Dolphins,” Hester said, per Chris Perkins.

Hester added that his speed is still there and believes he can be an asset as a kick return for a new teams.

“Last week I ran a 4.38 (40-yard dash) so I’ve still got the speed,” Hester said, via the Sun Sentinel. “It’s not that. I just have to be put in the right system and get the right opportunity and things will happen.”

The Buccaneers, Chiefs and Panthers have all come up as potential options outside of the Dolphins.

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Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star confirms that the Chiefs do, in fact, have interest in KR Devin Hester.

• Paylor adds that “a lot of teams” have interest in Hester right now.

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Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network mentions that the Kansas City Chiefs could be a team to keep an eye on regarding free agent KR Devin Hester who will not be back with the Bears next year. 

• Rapoport points to the fact that Hester consider is “still very close” with Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub after spending a number of years together in Chicago.

Last year, the Chiefs had WR Dexter McCluster and S Quintin Demps handling kick returns for the most part, but players are unrestricted free agents, so there is no guarantee they will be back.

The Tampa Buccaneers have also been tossed out as a speculative option for Hester as well given that Lovie Smith has been a big Hester supporter over the course of his career.

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The Chicago Bears announced on Thursday that long-time KR ll not be back with the team next season.

Hester mentioned during a recent interview with the NFL Network that he expects to be playing elsewhere next year, so this doesn’t come as a huge surprise.

Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer believes it could be worth it for the Carolina Panthers to “kick the tires” on Hester this offseason, depending on how things go with free agent WR Ted Ginn.

Ginn, 28, is coming off of a very solid season for the Panthers and also managed to be an effective receiver for them, which is something that Hester can’t offer.

Person mentions that the Panthers would like to retain Ginn this offseason, but they do have limited cap space to work with, which would make it difficult for them to offer him a market-value contract.

Person adds that, even if they aren’t serious about adding Hester, it could at least help them to gain some leverage in contract talks with Ginn in the coming weeks.