Devin Hester (23) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Falcons were looking for an impact kick returner, and they worked out former Denver Broncos star returner Trindon Holliday earlier in the free agent period. Holliday, however, decided to sign a one-year deal with the New York Giants, and Tom Coughlin will try to do the best he can to stop his chronic fumbling issues which are crippling and detract from his all-world speed and explosiveness as a return man.
Although the Falcons didn’t sign Holliday, they snagged themselves a better and less turnover-prone return man in former Chicago Bears special teamer Devin Hester, who is the most decorated return man in NFL history. Per a source close to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Falcons have signed Hester to a three-year deal worth an undisclosed amount of money.
Hester is 31 and was reportedly seeking $4 million per year on the open market, which was just a ridiculous request for someone who has no value outside of returns. I’m sure he’s making a lot less than that for the Falcons over those three seasons, and it will be interesting to see exactly how the deal is structured. Last season, Hester had 1,442 kick-off return yards, as well as 256 yards and a touchdown on punt returns.
He visited the Falcons a couple of days ago and also had interest from the Miami Dolphins.