Here are five things to know about Cleveland's new general manager, John Dorsey.
- Dorsey spent the five past seasons as the Chiefs' general manager until he parted ways with Kansas City this past summer. Under his leadership, the Chiefs compiled a 43-21 record (the fourth-highest winning percentage in the NFL during that span) and were an AFC playoff contender year over year.
- Notable players drafted by Dorsey include: Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce, Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters, linebacker Dee Ford, Pro Bowl wide receiver Tyreek Hill and current Browns backup quarterback Kevin Hogan. Dorsey also traded for Chiefs quarterback and Pro Bowler Alex Smith, who has set multiple team passing records since coming to Kansas City.
- Tasked with building a winning franchise in Cleveland, Dorsey is no stranger to facing adversity. In his first season, Dorsey was named the 2013 Executive of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America after the Chiefs posted an 11-5 season following a 2-14 finish the previous year. Then, in 2015, Dorsey played a role in what's considered one of the greatest single-season turnarounds in NFL history. After a 1-5 start, Kansas City won its final 10 games and clinched a playoff spot.
- Before Kansas City, Dorsey cut his teeth with the Packers (who, coincidentally, travel to Cleveland this weekend for Sunday's game) and played a major role in laying the groundwork for one of the league's most consistent franchises. In 21 years with Green Bay, he started as a college scout for them in 1991 and eventually climbed to director of college scouting. After a season with the Seahawks (he followed former Packers coach Mike Holmgren to Seattle), Dorsey returned to the Packers in the same capacity and helped find quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver Greg Jennings, defensive lineman B.J. Raji and linebacker Clay Matthews.
- Before he was an executive, Dorsey was a linebacker and special teams ace for the Packers. Drafted in 1984, he played six seasons and amassed 130 tackles. A special teams captain, he set the team record with 35 special teams tackles as a rookie. Before Green Bay, Dorsey was a four-year starter at Connecticut and a two-time Yankee Conference Defensive Player of the Year selection.
