Alonzo Highsmith was considered one of the potential internal candidates to succeed Ted Thompson as general manager of the Green Bay Packers. Still, Highsmith is leaving to take a job with the Cleveland Browns.
Alonzo Highsmith, the #Packers long-time senior personnel executive, is expected to join GM John Dorsey's staff with the Cleveland Browns, a source said. Currently working out the final details. A major loss for Packers scouting department.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) January 2, 2018
Highsmith was with the Packers for 19 seasons and was hired by Ron Wolf. His title was senior personnel executive, so it’s pretty easy for the Browns to give him a better title and more responsibility.
It is expected Highsmith will be second in command to Browns general manager John Dorsey in Cleveland.
As far as the move, it’s possible Highsmith thought he wouldn’t be a serious candidate for the top job in Green Bay. It’s also possible he didn’t want to wait around to see if he still had a job when the Packers hire a new GM.
While this will be a loss for the Packers, it tells us something else. Dorsey — a former Packers personnel executive — obviously isn’t leaving the Browns. Even though he took the Browns job only a few weeks ago, some had suggested that Dorsey might look for an out if the Packers came calling.
So, already, two candidates are off the board as the Packers conduct their search for a new general manager.