BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland general manager Phil Savage, whose moves have brought the Browns back to respectability, is close to signing a long-term contract extension with the club.

Although nothing is imminent, owner Randy Lerner said Tuesday that he and Savage have had on-and-off discussions on an extension since December and should have one finalized "soon."

Savage has two years left on a deal he signed in 2005, when he took over a talent-deprived team that went 4-12. The Browns won 10 games last season and barely missed the playoffs. In January, the Browns gave coach Romeo Crennel a two-year extension through the 2011 season.