Chicago Bears sign WR/KR Domenik Hixon

The Bears signed WR/KR Domenik Hixon this morning to a 1-yr deal. The financial terms weren’t released, but I am guessing it was for close to the veteran minimum. Hixon is primarily just a special teams player at this point of his career. He only had 7 receptions last season on a Panthers team that only had 1 good receiver (Steve Smith). Hixon did have a solid 2012 season with 39 catches for 576 yards and 2 touchdowns with the Giants, but I think he would be the 5th receiver on the Bears depth chart if the season started today.

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Hixon didn’t return kicks or punts for the Panthers last year because they had elite return man Ted Ginn on the roster, but Hixon has had some success in that role earlier in his career with both a kick and punt return TD though he hasn’t done either full-time since 2009. Hixon is nothing more than a depth / special teams signing and nothing to get excited about.

Some are saying that the Hixon signing makes Hester’s departure official, but I’m not sure Hixon is the Bears answer as a return man since he hasn’t done it in a few years and wasn’t great at it when he did. There was a story that broke earlier today saying Hester has no free agent visits lined up. If Hester is willing to come back for close to the veteran minimum, the Bears would be crazy to turn him away.

Twitter: @MikeFlannery_