BEREA, Ohio - Browns' executive Sashi Brown wasted no time engaging the franchise's best player about his future with the team.

Just days after being promoted to director of football operations, Brown spoke to left tackle Joe Thomas to address the perennial Pro Bowler's frustrations and concerns with yet another organizational rebuild.

The meeting took place two or three days after the season concluded, Brown said Thursday during a news conference.

Thomas, a six-time first-team All Pro, made headlines for his remarks after it became apparent former coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer would be fired following a season-ending loss to the Steelers. While the left tackle still has three years remaining on his contract, Thomas stated publicly for the first time he might be amendable to a trade.

The club nearly dealt him to the Broncos in November.

Brown, who now has power over the 53-man roster, wanted Thomas to know how much he's valued.

"Joe is like us -- very competitive," said Brown, the club's former executive vice president/general counsel. "I think his questions to us were largely focused on how are we going to win. I talked to him about what our plan was, what our strategy was, and assured him that we were going to be doing everything to pursue winning here as an organization.

"You'd have to ask Joe how satisfied he was with the questions, but listen, he's going to be a big piece of what we do moving forward. (He) has a tremendous amount of insights that we will glean from."

Thomas has endured five coaching changes during his nine seasons, while never reaching the playoffs. His exasperation with the constant turnover was evident as he chatted with reporters on Jan. 3.

"When there are changes in the front office and changes to the coaching staff, they may not want me - (they might want) to go younger," Thomas said. "It may be a situation where I don't want to be here. There are too many unknowns to say one way or the other."

Brown was wise to chat with Thomas and attempt to share his vision for the franchise's direction even if he didn't know the identity of new coach Hue Jackson at the time of the conversation. Although the left tackle remains under contract, the Browns can ill afford to have their top player unhappy as they embark on a fresh start. If Thomas wants out, it's better to know now than after the draft.

Pro Bowl center Alex Mack likely will opt out of his contract. Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz is believed to be negotiating with the club toward a new deal, but he also could hit the free-agent market.

Meanwhile, the Browns probably will draft a quarterback in April. It's hard to imagine starting a rookie behind an offensive line needing to replace three regulars. That's what makes resolving the situation with Thomas - who protects a right-handed quarterback's blindside - so important.

Brown said he's "confident" his message was well-received.

"I was," he said. "And again this has been a process. It's not like Joe and I have not had conversations before."