The Cleveland Browns have officially named John Dorsey as their new general manager on Thursday evening.
Dorsey replaces Sashi Brown, who was fired earlier in the day as the team's executive vice president for football operations. The 57-year old Dorsey will reportedly get a four-year contract and be introduced at a press conference on Friday.
“Football is what I know, it is what I love, it is what I have worked my whole career at and I thrive on every element that goes into building a winning football team,” said Dorsey in a statement. “I have spent a majority of my football life with two franchises that also have storied history and I think I have a feel for the mentality of the fans in Cleveland and what it would mean to recreate the success this franchise once had. I also have quickly realized how passionate Jimmy and Dee (Haslam) are about bringing a winning team to the city and would have not taken the job if I didn’t think the right ownership was in place. I am eager to work with Hue, his staff, and our personnel department and help bring us the success these fans so deserve.”
A former linebacker on the Green Bay Packers, Dorsey ran the Chiefs as General Manager from 2013-2016 and also ran the team's draft in 2017 before being fired this past June. Over the course of that time, he provided an influx of talent into the Kansas City roster with the drafting of players such as Travis Kelce, Marcus Peters, Tyreek Hill and Kareem Hunt.
Under Dorsey, the Chiefs recorded a 43-21 record, the fourth highest winning percentage in the NFL in the span of 2013-16.
“We are thrilled to have John Dorsey lead our football operations,” said owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam in the team's statement. “John has been immersed in the NFL for 26 years, won two Super Bowls, built sustainable winning football teams and is highly respected for his football acumen. We know we have a critical and very positive opportunity ahead of us to profoundly impact the foundation of this football team. Bringing in someone of John Dorsey’s caliber, his track record of success and his experience, significantly strengthens our opportunities to build a winning football team and that has been, and continues to be, what we want for our fans.”
The Chiefs dismissed Dorsey in June, in what many considered a shocking move. According to Monday Morning Quarterback's Albert Breer, however, Dorsey's departure in Kansas City was more a result of his own contract status than it was a referendum on his work.
According to Rapoport, a search firm had been vetting Dorsey for the past month, Former Browns general manager Mike Lombardi also confirmed Cleveland's interest in Dorsey, stating that the team's current vacancy wouldn't be open long.
