When the Giants were absolutely desperate for a healthy body to plug in at running back last season, they plucked Peyton Hillis out of his semi-retirement. He had a few productive moments and apparently made enough of an impression that the Giants want him back. He has agreed to a two-year contract and will compete for a spot in a depleted offensive backfield.
Hillis, 28, was out of football when the Giants called for him in mid-October after suffering a rash of injuries at running back. Hillis, briefly a rising star for the Browns, quickly picked up the offensive system, did a good job in pass protection and at times helped by catching passes out of the backfield. His rushing from scrimmage was nothing special: He finished with 73 carries for 247 yards, an average of 3.4 yards per attempt. He scored two touchdowns.
Bringing back Hillis does not mean the Giants are through searching for a running back, as they need plenty of insurance in case David Wilson cannot make a return following neck surgery. Their top rusher last season, Andre Brown, is an unrestricted free agent.
Busy signing some of their own players on the eve of free agency, the Giants brought back cornerback Trumaine McBride on a two-year, $3.1 million deal, a low-risk move to secure a player who was a solid addition last season.
They also will re-sign kicker Josh Brown.