Browns VP: RG3 could be long-term answer

The Cleveland Browns are giving Robert Griffin III an opportunity to re-establish himself as a franchise-caliber quarterback.

While the organization will be keeping its options open amid a mass rebuild, executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown indicated Saturday that Griffin shouldn't be ruled out as the potential long-term solution under center.

"It could be (Griffin), certainly," Brown said, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. "But he's going to have to prove it."

Brown also conceded that Griffin, who signed a two-year, $15-million deal to join the team in March, could even earn himself consideration for an extension with his play this season.

"Our plan would be for Robert, if it carries out, to come in, solidify himself and then, if we felt like he's our answer longer term, to begin working on a longer-term deal," he said. "Way premature to be talking about that at this point. He's got to be able to come in, earn the starting job and then be able to show that he can lead our offense in a manner that's going to allow us to be successful to compete for this division and ultimately for the Super Bowl."

There's plenty of work to be done before the Browns can truly consider another contract for the former first-round pick, and third-round pick Cody Kessler will also be given a chance to compete.

Finally afforded a fresh start after a difficult few seasons with the Washington Redskins, though, there's almost certainly potential for Griffin to succeed in a Browns uniform.

Cleveland will hope that working as part of Hue Jackson's offensive system will allow the 26-year-old to recapture the form that saw him run away with rookie of the year honors in 2012.

Such a development would give the Browns a number of options in next year's draft, not forcing their hand when it comes to a potential decision regarding another top quarterback talent.