9:35am: Hillis’ deal is worth $1.8MM over two years, a source tells Conor Orr of the Star-Ledger (Twitter link).
8:28am: After filling in as the team’s feature back at times last season, Peyton Hillis will return to the Giants for the 2014 season, reports Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Hillis will ink a two-year deal with the team, perhaps as soon as today.
Hillis, 28, recorded 73 carries for 247 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns for the Giants in 2013. His 3.4 yards per carry represented a career-worst average, but he’s likely to be no more than second or third on the club’s depth chart heading into next season. Andre Brown, who finished the 2013 season as New York’s feature back, is also eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason, so the club will likely add at least one more player to the mix, whether it’s Brown or someone else.
The Giants are also reportedly close to re-signing cornerback Trumaine McBride and kicker Josh Brown, meaning the team could have a handful of new deals to announce very soon.