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The Cleveland Browns should not sign Devin Hester

By Steven Kubitza

Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester (17) returns a punt in the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers defeated the Falcons 38-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester (17) returns a punt in the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers defeated the Falcons 38-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Devin Hester recently hit the free agent market after being released by the Atlanta Falcons, but he should not be in the 2016 plans for the Cleveland Browns.

Every time a player hits the NFL free agent market there are always a few Cleveland Browns fans who clamor for the player to be signed and brought to Cleveland.

The latest name to hit the market is legendary kick and punt returner Devin Hester, who was released by the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday.

Hester is the NFL’s all-time leader in return touchdowns with 20, but he is also a 33-year-old playing a position that is no longer as important as it once was.

Browns fans should be familiar with this transition after seeing Josh Cribbs go from one of the most notable players on the team to someone who was expendable. Both Cribbs and Hester tried to transition to the wide receiver position, but it did not turn out to be a great success for either player.

Hester has always been more successful in the punt return game, with 14 career punt return touchdowns, but his age and the fact he is coming off foot surgery doesn’t make him a top candidate for the job in Cleveland. The Browns are better off giving the job to a young player, or even putting it on a rotation until the best player is found for the role.

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The favorite for punt returns seems to be first-round pick Corey Coleman, which may cause some Browns fans to panic and envision an injury waiting to happen, but he should be able to avoid anything catastrophic if he is smart and avoids trying to do too much.

Already having Coleman on the roster, along with several other members of the receiving corps, eliminates the need to pay several million to a specialist like Hester. The kick return game is filled with so many touchbacks now, it is easier to send something like Justin Gilbert back there to knee the ball instead of signing a player to do that as his only job.

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Hester should be able to sign with a team as a fourth or fifth receiver and a returner, as Josh Cribbs did with the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts toward the end of his career, but his glory days are likely over. He will still go down as the greatest returner of all-time, but it may be time for Hester to hang up the cleats and enjoy retirement.

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