Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine has acknowledged that it was "important" for the team to keep cornerback Joe Haden for the foreseeable future.
Haden committed himself to the Browns until at least 2019 earlier today, signing a lucrative new five-year contract extension with the team.
Pettine was full of praise for the 25-year-old and stressed the importance of keeping his "core players" at the franchise so that he can build a team around them.
"It's important for us. To extend our core players and continue to grow with guys that represent everything we want this team to be: tough, hard-working and passionate," Pettine is quoted as saying by ESPN.
"Joe obviously loves his teammates, and he loves this city. I know he wants to keep growing and improving as a player. That's what we need, and that's what we want. These are the types of players we want to build around, that will help us grow and win consistently."
Browns general manager Ray Farmer also expressed his excitement at having tied Haden down to a long-term deal.
Barney Corkhill
