Report: Sam Hurd to plead guilty

Ethington also told The Chicago Tribune that a "plea of guilty is in the works."

Ethington told WFAA-TV that his client faces a sentence of five years to life in prison. He also said the judge could put Hurd on probation. The Chicago Tribune reported that Hurd also faces a $10 million fine.

In September, prosecutors filed documents that said Hurd would plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, but Ethington said at the time that the documents were filed prematurely and negotiations on a plea were still ongoing.

Hurd was first arrested in December 2011 outside a Chicago-area steakhouse after agents alleged that he accepted cocaine from an undercover agent and was accused of trying to set up a ring to distribute cocaine and marijuana. According to court documents, Hurd took 1 kilogram -- 2.2 pounds -- of cocaine and told the officer he wanted to eventually buy 5 to 10 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana per week to distribute in the Chicago area.

He was a member of the Chicago Bears at the time of the arrest but was released soon after. He also has played for the Dallas Cowboys.

He was arrested again last year after authorities said he tried to buy more drugs while on bond. He also failed two drug tests.

The 27-year-old Hurd remains at a Dallas-area prison without bond. He was reindicted by a grand jury last month.

Both of Hurd's co-defendants -- cousin Jesse Tyrone Chavful and Toby Lujan -- have already pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Hurd.

Chavful's plea agreement called for a minimum of 10 years in prison. Lujan's plea deal called for a prison sentence of five to 40 years.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.