Hester, Bears come to terms

The Bears are counting on a healthy and productive Devin Hester, and now Hester is ready to start counting his money.

A much richer and healthier Hester is expected to join his teammates in today's 3 p.m. Bears practice in Bourbonnais after agreeing to terms on a four-year contract extension. Hester had two years remaining on his current contract, but the new deal contains $15 million in guaranteed money and is worth a total of $30 million minimum.

And if Hester achieves all the incentives in the new deal with the Bears, he would collect up to $40 million.

According to ESPN.com, the final year of the deal, 2013, includes a $10 million roster bonus if Hester reaches performance levels as a No. 1 receiver over the course of the deal. Hester's base pay for this season is $445,000.

Troubled by the slow pace of negotiations, Hester staged a two-day holdout at the start of training camp. Altough he reported to camp early Friday morning, he has not practiced and is expected to talk with media after today's 3 p.m. practice, along with general manager Jerry Angelo.

In just two seasons, Hester already has 11 kick-return touchdowns (7 punts and 4 kickoffs), just 2 shy of the NFL career record established by Brian Mitchell over 14 seasons. Hester led the NFC with a 15.5-yard punt-return average and 4 touchdowns last season, and he also caught 20 passes for 299 yards as a part-time receiver.

But this season Hester and the Bears expect that he will become a major player in the passing game.