By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer
BEREA, Ohio — The Browns let free-agent running back Peyton Hillis sign with the Chiefs on Wednesday without making him an offer and released longtime starting left guard Eric Steinbach, who was set to make $6 million this season. 
They also agreed to terms with former Bengals starting defensive end Frostee Rucker, a league source said. The Browns won't announce the Rucker deal until he's signed, which will most likely happen today.
Rucker, a seven-year pro, agreed to a five-year deal worth $21 million, including $8 million guaranteed, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The lucrative deal means Rucker will be a strong candidate to take over the right end job opposite Jabaal Sheard.
Hillis' departure ends his star-crossed, Madden 12 cover-cursed 2011 season in Cleveland. He agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million and hopes to rehabilitate his career -- and his image. Hillis wanted to play in Cleveland Browns Stadium next season, but now he'll do so for only one game, as a member of the visiting Chiefs.
Hillis hoped to re-sign with the Browns -- and even said he'd take a hometown discount to do so -- but the Browns never made him an offer, a league source said. They talked to his agent, Jimmy Sexton, but no proposal was made.
After the Chiefs announced the deal, Hillis Tweeted: "Appreciate all my fans in Cleveland for the support given to me in my time there. Can't wait to get back on the field and go to work in K.C."
In Kansas City, Hillis will be reunited with his former Browns and current Chiefs offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll.
He'll also play for former Browns and current Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel.
Under Daboll in 2010, Hillis rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns and finished second on the team with 61 catches for 477 yards and two TDs. It was the breakout season of his four-year career, and it landed him on the cover of Madden 12. But like others before him, Hillis' cover season was a disaster.
It began with concerns over not getting a new contract extension and went downhill from there. The season included Hillis sitting out a game with strep throat, his toughness being questioned by some fans and teammates, a lingering hamstring injury and ultimately his teammates calling him in for a team meeting to help him get his priorities straight. Hillis rebounded at the end of the season, rushing for 99 yards in Arizona and 112 in Baltimore.
But it was apparently too little, too late, and the Browns decided to put the saga behind them. With Hillis gone, the Browns still have running backs Montario Hardesty, Chris Ogbonnaya and Brandon Jackson on their roster. They might have a chance to draft Alabama running back Trent Richardson with the No. 4 pick, or they can look for a back later in the first round. They can also look to the second wave of free agency for a back, including former Bengals running back Cedric Benson.
As for Steinbach, the Browns didn't want to pay an almost 32-year-old player coming off back surgery $6 million this season, especially considering that Jason Pinkston has replaced him at left guard. However, they could re-sign him after he tests the market.
"These types of decisions are the difficult part of this job, especially when it involves a player such as Eric Steinbach," Browns General Manager Tom Heckert said in a statement. "Eric exhibited tremendous leadership and passion for the game during his time here. We want to thank him for his contributions."
Steinbach's release gives the Browns $6 million more under the cap. His agent, Jack Bechta, told NationalFootballPost.com -- a website he's part of -- that the Browns tried to reduce Steinbach's salary.
Bechta said in a statement on his site: "Asked to take a significant salary reduction in late February, the two sides have not been able to reach an agreement on a new deal, so Steinbach has asked for his release. However, the two sides will keep talking while Steinbach will simultaneously explore the free agent market."
Bechta said Steinbach had surgery to remove a disk fragment from his spinal nerve.
"He is on schedule for a complete recovery and wants to play for four more years. He should be fully cleared to perform all football-related tasks by April 15th," Bechta said.
Steinbach's release comes one day after the release of right tackle Tony Pashos.
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