Devin Hester is not expected to see a lot of action at wide receiver this year. There is a chance that Hester could not be used at all at the position and that is alright according to the 30-year-old.
“I’m fine with it,” Hester said on The J Mack and Nate Vash Show. “It was kind of my idea to let me more focus on my kickoff and punt return thing. … It was more of my idea to do it.”
During Lovie Smith’s tenure as the Bears coach the team attempted to turn Hester into an option in the passing game. Last year he continued to struggle in that role and failed to record a kick return for a touchdown.
This year Hester is focused on being the best return man he can be.
“Me and coach Trestman talked before I went home for the break and we came up with the idea that I would just go back to being a key return man — a punt return and kickoff return man — and a little bit more special teams,” Hester said. “That would be what I know as of now my role to be for the upcoming season.”
Hester had 23 catches for 242 yards and a touchdown last season. He averaged 8.3 yards per punt return and 25.9 yards on kickoff returns.
While Hester did not close the door on catching the ball from Jay Cutler he said he knows his role for the 2013 season.
“I know that I’m going here first into this season as the main kickoff return man. As of right now, that’s my main focus — to get my swagger back.”
