The Cleveland Browns hired John Dorsey as their new general manager, the club announced Thursday. Dorsey was signed to a four-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Dorsey most recently served as general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2013-16. He also has previous experience as an executive with the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
League sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the Browns had already interviewed other candidates and satisfied the Rooney Rule during that process. However, the chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance - which works with the NFL to "promote diversity and equality of job opportunity" - said he's troubled by the hire.
"I'm deeply bothered by it," Wooten said, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. "I'll be talking to the league about it because it bothers me. It doesn't seem right. Why wouldn’t you interview one of the recommended people?"
The Browns reportedly began the interview process before firing Sashi Brown on Thursday, and Dorsey was "among a handful of candidates" who weren't currently attached to a team, according to Mortensen.
Dorsey will have control of the Browns' roster in the draft and free agency, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Related: The 3 moves that sank Sashi Brown
The Chiefs made the playoffs in three of Dorsey's four seasons at the helm, winning the AFC West in 2016 before losing in the divisional playoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He now takes over an 0-12 Browns team with just one win in the past two seasons.
Dorsey will be able to put his stamp on the roster this offseason, as the Browns currently possess 13 picks in the 2018 draft: all seven of their own selections, the Houston Texans' first- and second-round picks, the Philadelphia Eagles' second-round choice, the Carolina Panthers' fourth-round pick, the Chiefs' fifth-round selection, and the Steelers' sixth-round pick.
