Bears Show Hester the Money

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jul 28, 2008 5:15PM

After first choosing to hold out of training camp while demanding a new deal, and then reversing course and showing up without a raise, Bears kick return specialist Devin Hester was rewarded with a fat new contract on Sunday. The 4-year deal guarantees him $15 million and could be worth as much as $40 million with incentives.

Hester had wanted a deal that paid him like an elite wideout; the Bears were willing to pay him for being the top special teams player in the league. The deal the two sides agreed to allows Hester to earn No. 1 receiver money if he can perform to that level over the life of the contract, while protecting the Bears from overextending their salary cap if his role remains more limited. Sounds like a win-win situation for Hester and the Bears and a refreshingly quick contract resolution for a team that's endured too many months-long squabbles with players over money in recent years.

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast