Browns mutually part ways with GM John Dorsey
The Cleveland Browns have mutually parted ways with general manager John Dorsey after two-plus seasons with the team, the club announced Tuesday.
The Browns reportedly met with Dorsey on Tuesday to discuss the GM's job after another disappointing campaign.
"We have a great appreciation for John and all he has done with the Cleveland Browns. He has helped create a foundation that we need to continue to develop and build upon," team co-owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. "While John helped greatly improve our team's talent and we are excited about the core players on our roster, we fully recognized that our team did not meet its potential on or off the field and additional changes in leadership give us the best opportunity for success in the future.
"As the role of the general manager continues to evolve in this league, we felt there were areas that needed to be reassessed. Over the last 48 hours, we've (spoken) with John about his role but could not come to an agreement on a position that would enable him to remain with the organization."
In Dorsey's own statement, he praised the team's fans and said they were partly why he decided it was best to part ways with the organization.
"When I took this job, the history of this storied franchise and the passion of our fans was an integral part of my decision," he said. "It is that same understanding and desire to see these fans enjoy the success they are so deserving of that helped me conclude, along with Jimmy and Dee, that it was best to part ways as they embark on the search for a new head coach."
Cleveland has already fired Freddie Kitchens, who had a subpar season in his first year as head coach and oversaw a tumultuous campaign that featured its fair share of drama off the field and a lack of discipline on it.
After being named GM in December 2017, Dorsey took an aggressive approach to talent acquisition. His notable moves included the signing of running back Kareem Hunt, trades for wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, and the drafting of quarterback Baker Mayfield first overall.
Cleveland was hailed as a potential Super Bowl contender prior to the beginning of the 2019 season. The club even began selling Dorsey's signature white sweater as his popularity with the fan base skyrocketed.
However, the big moves didn't lead to the expected results, as the Browns slumped to a 6-10 record in 2019.
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