Jim Brown's hot-and-cold relationship with the Cleveland Browns is warming up.
Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer reported on Tuesday night that new owner Jimmy Haslam is finalizing plans to hire the Hall of Fame running back in an official capacity.
"Jim Brown and I have spent a lot of time together," Haslam said Tuesday at the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix. "We spent about an hour together (Monday) night, and I think we've established a really good relationship and I think sometime over the next two or three weeks we'll formalize that relationship and Jim will play the appropriate role with the Cleveland Browns.
"I think he feels good about it and I think we feel good about it, and rightfully so. I've really enjoyed getting to know him, not just as a great football player, but as a man."
Haslam wouldn't reveal what role Brown would play, saying: "It's a big deal and that's why I want to do it right. In the next couple of weeks we'll announce something."
The 77-year-old Brown was demoted and shoved to the side during Mike Holmgren's rocky tenure as team president. That didn't play well with some Browns fans, a scenario Haslam immediately addressed upon taking over last year.
Brown previously was on the books as a consultant. It's hard to imagine the former bruiser playing a larger role, but patching up the relationship is smart work by Haslam.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.