At 6-foot-2 and a visibly muscular 250 pounds, it doesn’t seem like much would worry Browns running back Peyton Hillis.
But the longer the Madden cover boy goes without a new contract, the more Hillis’ future leaves cause for concern.
“Whenever something’s not set in stone, then I guess anything is possible, which means your career’s not here,” Hillis said after his team’s Monday practice. “So, yeah, that definitely worries me.”
Despite a breakout 2010 season that saw Hillis rack up 1,177 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns, the powerful back and his agent, Kennard McGuire, have yet to agree on a new contract with Cleveland. Hillis is in the final year of his current deal with the club, which pays him $600,000.
The 25-year-old back is off to a slow start this season, ranking 31st in the league with 197 yards rushing and a fumble. There was speculation Hillis sat out his team’s Sept. 25 game against Miami as a sign of protest for not getting a new contract, a suggestion from McGuire. Hillis publicly defended his decision, saying his absence was due solely to the strep throat illness that had hampered him during that week.
“I am stubborn and I am hardheaded, and I like to go out there and play even though I was probably not up for it,” he said.
The Browns, 2-2, had a bye this week and will play at Oakland on Sunday.
