Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Record-setting returner Devin Hester says he will not be back with the Chicago Bears next season.
Hester told the NFL Network on Wednesday that Chicago "wants to go a different route with me," and that they are "parting ways" with him.
That means he will hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent and that an eight-year run with the Bears that produced no shortage of highlights is coming to an end.
He matched Hall of Famer Deion Sanders' NFL record with his 19th return for a touchdown last season, tying his friend and mentor with an 81-yard punt return at Washington in October.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
