Peyton Hillis might be the least expensive Madden cover boy in the history of the game—for now.
According to ESPN and the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Tony Grossi, the Browns and Hillis’ camp have begun negotiations on a new contract for the star running back.
Hillis is “only” making $555,000 this season, which is actually quite low when you consider his production and work ethic, and the fact that he has more or less become the face of the franchise as well as the face of the world’s most popular sports video game.
From Grossi’s column Tuesday night:
A league source said the wheels have begun turning for talks about a new contract for Hillis. Browns GM Tom Heckert has said he intends to invest in “players we like and want to be here.”
The Browns seem to be a perfect fit for Hillis, a player who was the “throw-in” in the Brady Quinn trade last offseason with the Denver Broncos. He has become not only the centerpiece of the Browns’ running game, but arguably the most popular athlete in Cleveland not named LeBron James. Hillis sees a long-term fit in Cleveland as well:
“Most definitely. I think this team, this city, even the colors, represent who I am. As an individual, as a person and as a player,” Hillis said Tuesday. “So I would love to be here as long the Browns want me here.”
You can read Grossi’s full column here.