Hester linked with reunion with Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay.
Former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher has slammed the franchise for not keeping kick returner Devin Hester after eight years together.
The 31-year-old is the NFL’s all-time record holder for combined kick return touchdowns and punt return touchdowns, while he is also tied with Deion Sanders for the most return touchdowns of all types.
As a result, Urlacher who himself was released by the Bears last year, has revealed his disappointment with the decision to release Hester given that it would have been appropriate to see him beat the record and retire a Bear.
“He’s going to break the record on another team, probably. It’s crazy to think he won’t be in a Bears uniform doing that. It’s frustrating as an ex-Bear and a player to see that happen,” Urlacher said, as reported by Pro Football Talk.
Urlacher spoke of how the PIttsburgh Steelers have done right by their veterans with the likes of Troy Polamalu and Heath Miller both signing new deals this off-season in order to extend their stay with the organisation.
The former NFL star insists that it would have been respectful to see Hester retire as a member of the Bears franchise, but now he will instead begin the search for a new team.
It is understood that Hester is keen on a possible reunion with former Bears coach Lovie Smith, who is now in charge of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Urlacher believes that it would be a good move for his former teammate, as he will be shown the loyalty by Smith which he believes was clearly lacking when Chicago made their decision this week.
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