http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2018/03/john_dorsey_we_want_long-term.htmlBrowns' John Dorsey: 'We want long-term success' with Tyrod Taylor
Updated Mar 15, 8:48 PM; Posted Mar 15, 7:39 PM
John Dorsey on Browns trades and free agents signed
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By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns GM John Dorsey isn't viewing quarterback Tyrod Taylor as a one-year rental until the first-round rookie is ready to roll.
"We want success and we want long-term success with Tyrod,'' general manager John Dorsey said in a press conference Thursday. "Right now he's our starting quarterback, and right now I couldn't be more excited to have Tyrod as a Cleveland Brown.''
Acquired in a trade with the Bills on Friday for the No. 65 pick, Taylor is under contract in 2018 for $16 million, including a $6 million bonus due Friday. With the Browns poised to draft a quarterback at No. 1 or No. 4 overall, it would seem that Taylor is a short-term solution, but maybe not.
"That's a hypothetical,'' said Dorsey. "You never know what's going to happen in the draft. We've always said that. But having Tyrod Taylor in this organization, I know one thing: He's been to the playoffs, he understands how to do it, he's led men. And for him to be here, that's exciting. We'll see when we get to the draft, then we'll get to that component and we'll see what happens there.''
Dorsey said Taylor was the consensus pick in the organization over free-agent options such as AJ McCarron, whom the Browns tried to trade for in October, and Case Keenum. Jackson said he also coveted Taylor last offseason.
Jackson says Taylor is the starter even if the Browns draft a QB No. 1 overall
"We did it as an organization and we all kind of sat and talked together,'' Dorsey said. "At the end of it, just listening to what everybody had to say what's best for this organization, we did what's best for this organization.''
Dorsey, who's been associated with elite quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers and Alex Smith, said he is thrilled with Taylor leading the team. If the Browns want to keep him, they can sign him to an extension or franchise him in the offseason.
"The beauty of Tyrod is - you all have met him - he's a natural leader,'' said Dorsey. "He has the skillset physically to extend plays. He does not turn the ball over, which I really like and admire. He has the arm strength to really go deep. He fits the mechanics of what (Head Coach) Hue (Jackson) and (offensive coordinator) Todd (Haley) are looking for in the offense. I just thought it was a natural fit."
While Dorsey shaped the overhauled the roster over the past two days, he skipped the Pro Days of Baker Mayfield and Josh Rosen. Should anything be read into that?
"You never know,'' he said.
In the meantime, he's already got his starting QB in the building.
