National Football League

Browns want to lock up RB Hillis

Published Sep. 9, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren says the club is ''trying like crazy'' to extend running back Peyton Hillis' contract.

In an ESPN radio interview Friday, Holmgren said the club wants to wrap up Hillis ''for a long time.'' The 25-year-old Hillis rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, his first with Cleveland after coming over in a trade from Denver. A battering ram with the ball, Hillis has become a fan favorite in Cleveland, and last week, he said the city ''represents who I am.''

Hillis is in the final year of his rookie contract, which will pay him $555,000 this season.

Hillis' popularity soared this season, when he won a fan vote to be on the cover of Madden 12, the wildly popular video game.

The Browns have already given contract extensions to Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas and tight end Evan Moore.