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It was the one that got away that helped shape the Chicago Bears' offseason plan that wrapped up Sunday with the signing of Devin Hester. Now the question is how much Hester will be able to fill the void created by the loss of wide receiver Bernard Berrian.

The Bears went into free agency with more than $20 million in salary-cap space and said it was earmarked for their own. Despite earnest efforts, Berrian left to NFC North rival Minnesota, giving the Vikings a legitimate deep threat to help loosen up defenses intent on stopping running back Adrian Peterson. The Bears were offering Berrian less than $30 million on a five-year deal. The Vikings wowed him with a $42 million, six-year offer, and the loss shaped the ensuing months for the Bears, who acted quickly to re-sign Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs. Could general manager Jerry Angelo have spent $185.39 million on 10 Bears and still added Berrian to the mix?

''It would have been Berrian or Briggs,'' Angelo said. ''We made a decision. We tried to do Bernard; didn't work. It's not to say we couldn't have done Lance, but it made it easier.''

One of the many questions for the offense this summer is how it will replace Berrian. Marty Booker figures to be an able replacement for Muhsin Muhammad as a possession target and is far less likely to be discovered criticizing his quarterbacks. Finding a way to recreate Berrian's 71 receptions for 951 yards and five touchdowns is another thing, and in giving Hester a $40 million, four-year extension, the Bears are saying they believe he can play a major role there.

Source: Sun-Times