One of the areas of interest for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency should be running back. The Chiefs have three running backs set to hit free agency -- Thomas Jones, Jackie Battle and Le'Ron McClain (really a fullback) -- and it's possible none of them are back next season.

So the Chiefs, who are expected to do plenty of running in 2012, need to find someone to pair with Jamaal Charles. I've been thinking Peyton Hillis could be an option and ESPN reported on Thursday that Hillis will not be given the franchise tag from the Cleveland Browns and is expected to hit free agency.

But here's where the Hillis story gets a little weird: apparently, according to the ESPN report, he contemplated retirement as recently as the end of last season. And, according to the same report, he contemplated a stint in the CIA. Really.

I think a guy like Hillis makes sense -- tough runner, veteran -- but the Chiefs always talk about guys that loooove football. Hillis contemplating retirement makes me wonder about his commitment to the game. Apparently sources within the Browns leaked this story, which is weird. Makes you wonder what his relationship with the team was last year if a story like this gets out.

Thoughts on Hillis as a free agent?