Forte, Hester to sign one-day deals, retire as Bears
Devin Hester and Matt Forte signed one-day contracts with the Chicago Bears, clearing their way to retire with the organization they started their careers with.
Both players spent their first eight seasons in the NFL with Chicago.
Hester was drafted 57th overall by the Bears in 2006 as a wide receiver, but became an instant sensation as punt and kickoff returner. Hester had 5 return touchdowns in his rookie year and followed it up with six the next season.
He retired with 20 total return touchdowns (14 punt, 5 kickoff, 1 FG), an NFL record,
As a receiver, Hester finished his 11-year career with 255 catches for 3,311 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Forte, 32, finished with 381 rushing yards and 293 receiving yards along in an injury-hampered 2017 season.
He enjoyed his greatest success with the Chicago Bears after being drafted out of Tulane in the second round in 2008. He ran for 1,238 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie and went on to rush for more than 1,000 yards in four of the next six seasons.
His best season came in 2013 when he rushed for 1,339 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with 594 receiving yards.
Forte ranks second to Walter Payton in Bears history with 8,602 rushing yards.
He announced his retirement in February. Hester last played in 2016.
--Field Level Media
