BEREA, Ohio — Peyton Hillis wanted to retire with the Browns. Now, he’s wondering and worrying whether he has a future in Cleveland beyond the next 12 games.
Hillis, whose stalled negotiations with the team on a contract extension have spawned weeks of analysis, conjecture and rumor, said Monday he has no regrets about sitting out the Sept. 25 game against the Miami Dolphins because of strep throat, a decision — reached with the advice of his agent — that fueled reports he missed the game to protest not getting a new deal.
The running back is in the final year of his rookie deal and will make a base salary of $600,000 this season. As for next season, he is beginning to doubt he’ll be around.
“Whenever something’s not set in stone, then I guess anything is possible, which means your career’s not here,” he said. “So, yeah, that definitely worries me.”
Hillis said he doesn’t know where things stand at the moment and his only focus is getting ready for Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders.
“Perception is reality,” he said. “People take what they want to from things. I feel I play hard every time I step on the field.”
