John Dorsey Out As General Manager For Cleveland Browns

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns will head into 2020 without a head coach and a general manager, the team announced. After firing head coach Freddie Kitchens, the team parted ways with general manager John Dorsey on Tuesday.

In a farewell statement to the fans, Dorsey praised the team's supporters for their ardent enthusiasm. He also suggested the franchise was interested in establishing powerful leeway for the team's next head coach.

"I know how critical the relationship between a general manager and head coach is and I also know how critical it is the Browns have a strong leader in their next head coach," Dorsey said. Dorsey spent just two years with the franchise.

Dee and Jimmy Haslam said they wanted to reassess what the general manager role meant to the Cleveland Browns and during those discussions with Dorsey a decision to separate was reached.

"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," the Haslams said in a statement.

The Browns were 7-8-1 in Dorsey's first season, but finished 6-10 this year, a disappointment considering the expectations heading into the year. The Browns fired Kitchens after Sunday's season-ending loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dorsey selected quarterback Baker Mayfield No. 1 in the 2018 NFL draft. He also made moves to acquire wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and running backs Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb. However, the Browns' offensive line was unable to protect Mayfield, and the defense was regularly gouged by NFL offenses.

Dorsey was previously the general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs.