NFL notebook: Browns fire GM Dorsey

[January 02, 2020]  The Cleveland Browns parted ways with general manager John Dorsey on Tuesday after failing to come to an agreement on a restructuring of the front office.

The decision to move on from Dorsey, 59, after two years comes two days after the Browns fired first-year head coach Freddie Kitchens.

Dorsey arrived in Cleveland in December 2017 as the team was in the midst of an 0-16 season. The Browns went 7-8-1 last year, then 6-10 this year.

--Jason Garrett apparently will open the new year as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

The Dallas Morning News reported that Garrett met with team owner Jerry Jones and his son, Stephen, for a second straight day but the meeting ended without an announcement about Garrett's status. The two sides will meet again at a time still to be determined, according to the report.

--Baylor coach Matt Rhule will not interview with the Browns, declining the franchise's request for an interview, ESPN reported. The Browns' next head coach, replacing Freddie Kitchens after one season, will be the fourth since 2018 in Cleveland.

Rhule is reportedly the top candidate to be head coach of the New York Giants. He is one of the college coaches Jerry Jones is intrigued by in Dallas, and Rhule also has an interview with the Carolina Panthers, according to multiple reports.

The Browns plan to interview San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur for their vacant head coaching position, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

--Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera agreed to become head coach of the Washington Redskins after interviewing with the team on Monday, according to NFL.com.

Rivera, who turns 58 on Jan. 7, was fired by the Panthers after a 5-7 start to this season, capping a nine-year tenure in which he went 76-63-1 and led Carolina to a Super Bowl 50 appearance.

He replaces interim coach Bill Callahan, who finished the season after Jay Gruden was fired following an 0-5 start. Former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio will serve as Rivera's defensive coordinator, per reports.

--Head coach Doug Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell were spared their jobs with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Owner Shad Khan said the Jaguars would retain the team's leaders for another season with higher expectations for 2020.

Khan fired team president Tom Coughlin in mid-December and indicated more changes were in the offing.

--The New York Giants, who fired Pat Shurmur after two seasons at the helm on Monday, are expected to interview former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy next weekend, according to Schefter.

McCarthy has already interviewed with the Panthers and is set to meet with the Browns. He also could be a target in Dallas.

Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) calls a play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

--The Miami Dolphins are set to hire Chan Gailey as their new offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports.

Gailey, who retired after the 2017 season, would replace Chad O'Shea, who was fired Monday after just one season.

--The Chicago Bears are entering the offseason with Mitchell Trubisky as their starting quarterback, general manager Ryan Pace said at a press conference. However, Pace said the team hasn't committed to exercising the fifth-year option on Trubisky for the 2021 season.

Chicago was 8-8 but missed out on the playoffs for the eighth time in nine seasons. Trubisky is expected to have surgery on his left shoulder after playing several games with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, Pace said.

Meanwhile, the Bears dismissed offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride Jr. and assistant special teams coach Brock Olivo.

--Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was activated off injured reserve and is expected to play in this weekend's AFC wild-card game against the visiting Buffalo Bills. Watt had surgery nine weeks ago for a torn pectoral muscle.

Texans wide receiver Will Fuller V, out last week due to a groin injury, returned to practice on a limited basis.

--The Philadelphia Eagles are optimistic that running back Miles Sanders can return from an ankle injury for Sunday's NFC wild-card game against the Seattle Seahawks. An MRI exam revealed that the Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate has a low-grade ankle sprain, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported.

--The Detroit Lions parted ways with special teams coordinator John Bonamego, linebackers coach Al Golden, tight ends coach Chris White and defensive backs coach Brian Stewart as well as two strength coaches.

--The Seattle Seahawks placed Ethan Pocic on injured reserve and promoted fellow offensive lineman Kyle Fuller from the practice squad. ... Giants center Jon Halapio underwent surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. ... The Jets signed kicker Brett Maher to a reserve/futures contract.

--Field Level Media

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