John Dorsey: Browns Are 'Iconic' Franchise; 'Let's Reawake This Sleeping Giant'

The Cleveland Browns hired John Dorsey as their new general manager Thursday, and the former architect of the Kansas City Chiefs wasted no time waxing poetic about the potential of the franchise at his introductory press conference Friday.

After referring to the club as "iconic," Dorsey said it's time to "reawake this sleeping giant" as the Browns embark on a quest to rise from the AFC North cellar and into a tier of more respected contenders.

"To me, that's exciting," Dorsey said of taking over as GM. "I just can't wait to try to build and establish this thing. We want to be competitive every year."

Owner Jimmy Haslam also spoke and said the franchise is firmly behind head coach Hue Jackson, who he said will "absolutely" return in 2018 and perhaps for many more seasons beyond that.

"We plan on Hue being our coach for a long time," Haslam added.

Haslam downplayed the significance of Jackson's 1-27 record, citing an organization-wide responsibility to put the team in a better position for sustained success.

"I know a lot has been said about Hue's record," Haslam said. "I wouldn't call that just Hue's record. I think that record is on all of us, including ownership."

Headed for their seventh straight last-place finish in the AFC North, the 0-12 Browns have a tremendous amount of work to do if they want to pose a legitimate threat to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals moving forward.

But with a burgeoning talent base, 12 draft picks in 2018—including a pair of first-round selections currently projected to fall at Nos. 1 and 7—and $58.9 million in cap space, Dorsey will have all the flexibility he needs to help the Browns inch toward their first winning record in more than a decade.