Peyton Hillis...PAY HIM

Last year was the year Browns fans collectively begged management to “Pay Josh Cribbs!”  

There were a few hairy P.R. moments, but the Browns eventually got the job done and Cribbs was given a contract extension that put him more in line with his peers. This time around, Browns fans should not have to clamor for Tom Heckert and Mike Holmgren to “Pay Peyton!” Not because Browns running back Peyton Hillis does not deserve a new deal, but because management should already be well aware of how little their workhorse made this season.

Hillis' situation is far different than what Josh Cribbs faced a season ago. Cribbs is largely a special teamer, and Hillis plays a premier position rather well. Cribbs was in the midst of a six-year deal meaning that the Browns really had no incentive, at least in the traditional sense, to give Cribbs a raise. Hillis is scheduled to make $555,000 in the last year of his contract. 

Let’s just say that I don’t think the fans will need to picket Alfred Lerner way in Berea to help fatten up Peyton Hillis’ checking account. Even with the uncertainty regarding the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL Player’s Union and the owners, one has to think guys like Hillis will get attention as soon as the season looks inevitable. 

So, assuming that there will be an NFL season next year, what could (should?) a new contract for Hillis look like? 

In order to get a feel for the market, I decided to look up the salaries for Peyton Hillis’ peer group. In carrying the ball 270 times for 1177 yards, Peyton Hillis ranked 11th in the NFL in rushing yardage. His 11 rushing touchdowns tied him for 6th in the league with the Titans’ Chris Johnson and San Diego’s Mike Tolbert. 

Considering the team the Browns team that Hillis plays for, and where his stats were at the end of the season, Hillis’ representation will certainly make the argument that Hillis is a top-ten type of talent. The Browns will likely counter that while Hillis is valuable, he still has a lot to prove in terms of ball protection and longevity as he arguably faded a bit down the stretch. 

The Browns could even threaten Hillis’ management by telling them that Hillis should prove his worth for the $555,000 that’s left on his original deal. If the players aren’t locked out already, and if it goes too far, Hillis could realistically decide that it isn’t worth the injury risk to even show up to training camp, let alone OTAs. That said, let us assume the Browns and Hillis find some common ground. 

Discussing NFL salaries is complicated because of all the escalators put into contracts that are unlikely, if not impossible, to earn. These bonuses make agents feel good so they can brag to their next prospective client about the gaudy amount of money they got for their player. As a result of these bonuses, I am going to do what I can to break through the noise and estimate, realistically, how much each of these running backs will make per season. 

First things first, Peyton Hillis along with guys like Ray Rice and Rashard Mendenhall throw the average out the window - they are still playing on their rookie contracts. Hillis is scheduled to make $555,000 in 2011 before becoming a free agent in 2012. The Steelers’ Mendenhall got a nice signing bonus of just over $7 million because he was drafted 23rd in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft. However, his base salary for 2011 is only $612,500. When you average the bonus over the life of the contract, his 2011 number looks closer to $2 million for the season. Ray Rice was a second rounder and got a much smaller signing bonus, just over $1 million. It is amazing when you think that only 53 yards separated them in the standings and yet their compensation differs wildly. 

Similarly, guys like Steven Jackson and Adrian Peterson are making tons of money on their deals. Outliers north of $10 million per year are not realistic numbers in this discussion. 

The name to think about here is Kansas City's Jamaal Charles as he was selected in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft, the same year as Hillis. Charles signed a contract during the season this year as he was on his way over 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight year. Charles’ contract is listed at six years and $27.97 million. When you boil it all down, Charles’ annual base salary will be about $3 million per season to go along with an $8 million signing bonus, all while still having to split carries with Thomas Jones.

So, what does this mean for Hillis? 

His agents will probably seek similar numbers and end up having to “settle” for less. Hillis arguably isn’t as proven as Charles. In fact the way Hillis wore down toward the end of the season would understandably give the Browns front office pause before they finish negotiating. 

With Hillis being 24-years old, I would expect the Browns to seek at least a five-year extension so they can lock him up for a while. I wouldn’t anticipate Hillis’ contract to reach near the heights of Charles’ contract, but assuming the season takes place and negotiations do commence, I expect Hillis to get a nice signing bonus and a substantial raise compared to the $555,000 he is scheduled to make next year. 

Obviously, Browns fans just hope everyone wins in the end. The Browns will make Hillis rich(er) and, hopefully, he - and a healthy Montario Hardesty - will help take the Browns offense to new levels in the coming years.