Charles Tillman thinking of joining Lovie Smith in Tampa

Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman has admitted that a move to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would appeal to him.

The Bears are poised to allow the 32-year-old to test the market, and Tillman has been mooted with a possible link up with his former head coach Lovie Smith at the Buccaneers.

"Obviously, it makes the deal probably a little sweeter just because it's a former head coach," Tillman told the Chicago Sun-Times. "You do know the system, you know the scheme.

"I think it helps it from a standpoint that it's a former coach, a guy that you liked, a guy that you'd been with for 10 years. It's cool. But it's free agency. I'm open to whoever."

Tillman had 41 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles in the 2013 season.

Tillman has stated that he'd like to retire as a Bear, but it's a business and he also said that he has interest in all 32 teams.

“I’m just trying to make the best decision, and hopefully the Bears do, too,” he said. “If I get to free agency, so be it. If I don’t, so be it. It’s nothing personal. It’s a business. It’s a process.”

"(I hope) that a team picks me up and I still have a job. Any team," he said. "All 32."

Tillman made nearly $8 million last season and knows a big payday isn't coming at the age of 33. He can still help a team out but whether it's in a starting or complementary role remains to be seen.

Bears' Devin Hester might seek trade

Devin  Hester sounded like a broken man when head coach Lovie Smith was fired by the Chicago Bears. After another frustrating end to the season and no playoffs, Hester's frustration boiled over and he threatened  to retire. After about a month he reconsidered.  

Now Hester says he might need a change of scenery. With a year left on his contract Hester spoke about his future and determined that he might be better served playing elsewhere.

"I'm going to try to get two or three more years in,'' Hester told the Chicago Tribune on Saturday. "I think I have that much left in me.

"At the same time, I think I do need a fresh start.'' 

Hester sounds like he wants to stay, but after seeing his role diminish on offense he doesn't know if he sees himself in the Bears' immediate plans. That has much to do with his frustration. Throw in Lovie Smith's firing and you have a player that says he might need to be traded.


"It's a possibility,'' he said. "I'm loyal to my team. But the fans and my teammates have to understand where I'm coming from.

"I don't want to walk away from this game with another season going the way it ended this year. … It might have to take a fresh start somewhere else.''

Hester is a playmaker, but he's more of a one trick pony than a guy to include in an offensive game plan. I don't see anyone making a trade for him, but remember the Oakland Raiders were roped into taking Carson Palmer off the Bengals' hands, so anything is possible.