The Cleveland Browns signed running back Montario Hardesty to a four-year contract Monday, three days after his fellow rookies reported to training camp.
The Browns only said that Hardesty signed a multiyear deal. However, *The Cleveland Plain Dealer* reported that the maximum value of Hardesty's contract is $3,372,750, with a total of $1,572,750 guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1 million, according to a league source.
Hardesty, a second-round draft pick, will have the chance to challenge fifth-year veteran Jerome Harrison for the Browns' starting running back job. Hardesty started 19 of 49 games at the University of Tennessee and ran for 2,391 yards with 26 touchdowns.
Harrison came on strong at the end of 2009, with 194 carries for 862 yards and five touchdowns -- including 570 yards during the Browns' four-game winning streak to close the season. Despite the strong finish, there are questions about Harrison's durability over the course of an entire season.
The Browns also acquired running back Peyton Hillis in an offseason trade that sent quarterback Brady Quinn to the Denver Broncos.
Rookies reported to camp last Friday, but the first full-squad workout doesn't come until Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
