Browns GM steps down
Refuses to accept lesser role with team
CLEVELAND — The Browns ended 2019 the same way they began the year — coach-less and some would argue clueless as well.
Cleveland rang in 2020 amid more chaos for a perpetually chaotic franchise after Browns general manager John Dorsey resigned, his stunning departure coming just two days after coach Freddie Kitchens was fired following a disappointing 610 season.
Dorsey, who in two years turned around a roster that went 0-16 in 2017 to one loaded with talent, left after refusing to accept a reduced role in the organization offered by owner Jimmy Haslam. So, once again, Haslam and his wife, Dee, are restructuring the team’s front office.
And while Dorsey’s exit has added another layer of disarray, the Browns will interview former Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy for their vacancy Thursday, a person familiar with the team’s plans told the Associated Press.
McCarthy was believed to be the front-runner for the coaching position last year but surprisingly didn’t interview. The team also has requested permission to interview Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, and he joins a list of Browns candidates that includes assistants Josh McDaniels, Greg Roman, Robert Saleh, Kevin Stefanski and Brian Daboll.
Dorsey had successfully revamped the Browns in his two seasons, but his hiring of Kitchens a year ago backfired as the Browns won one fewer game in 2019 and fell way short of expectations while missing the playoffs for the 17th consecutive season — the NFL’s longest current drought.
In a prepared statement, the Haslams thanked Dorsey for his efforts and applauded him for creating a foundation “we need to continue to develop and build upon.”
The Haslams acknowledged Dorsey had “greatly” improved the team’s talent, but the Browns’ failure to reach their potential this season necessitated more change.
“As the role of the general manager continues to evolve in this league we felt there were areas that needed to be reassessed,” they said. “Over the last 48 hours, we’ve had discussion with John about his role but could not come to an agreement on a position that would enable him to remain with the organization.”
It’s unclear what impact Dorsey leaving will have on the roles of chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta, assistant GM Eliot Wolf or vice president of player personnel Alonzo Highsmith. Wolf and Highsmith were brought to Cleveland by Dorsey.
Dorsey joined the Browns in December 2017 after previous stints in Green Bay and Kansas City.