NFL Trade Rumors: The Latest Buzz on Peyton Hillis and the Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis' days with the team appear to be numbered, at least according to the back himself.

Speaking to the assembled media in the team's locker room, Hillis expressed his frustration with his team not offering him a contract extension, stating, "whenever something’s not set in stone, then I guess anything is possible, which means your career’s not here."

Hillis' current rookie contract expires at the end of the season and negotiations have thus far gone nowhere.

Rumors began circulating about Hillis' unhappiness with the Browns not providing him with the contract extension he's searching for after he sat out their Week 4 contest against the Miami Dolphins.

Hillis claims he sat out at his agent Kennard McGuire's insistence while he recovered from strep throat, but people are speculating he did so to protest the failed negotiations.

The Browns have already extended the contracts of some of its other younger players. Linebacker Chris Gocong, offensive tackle Joe Thomas, defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin and tight end Evan Moore have all received new deals. The fact that Hillis hasn't is a glaring sign that his time with the team may be running out.

However, it's unlikely that the Browns will try to deal the running back in the days leading up to next Tuesday's trade deadline. He is certainly of high value to the team, and they will likely try to present him with an adequate contract offer in the coming months.

That being said, he may not take it. While Hillis has expressed that he wants to remain a Brown for life, the damage may already have been done. Hillis and McGuire have not shied away from making public comments about their very clear desire to sign him to a major contract with the team.

So, in the short-term, Browns fans need not worry about losing Hillis to another team.

In the longer-term, be prepared for the chance that he won't be in Cleveland after this season.