John Dorsey conducts first interview since Chiefs fired him

John Dorsey speaks.

In what he said was the first interview conducted since he was fired as the Chiefs general manager in June, Dorsey spoke with ESPN’s Adam Schefter for a podcast that aired on Tuesday.

On the news of his firing, Dorsey said, “I’ve had better days. It is what it is.”

Was he surprised? “Yeah, a little bit.”

Most of the interview involved Dorsey’s thoughts on his career as a general manager and not necessarily specific to the Chiefs.

But Dorsey, who continues to live in Kansas City, said he follows the Chiefs and remains invested.

“I’d say they got off to a hot start,” Dorsey said. “They have a very good nucleus there. They’ve kind of taken a step back here, they’ve lost a few games, but with that coaching staff and those players on the field I foresee those guys begin to make that final push … They’re in a nice position. But now they just have to refocus and go get it.”

Dorsey remains a fan of quarterback Alex Smith.

“To this point he’s played marvelously,” Dorsey said. “He’s been in the same system now for five years. He has a great understanding of that system. There are some young playmakers there to help him. This group, they’ve been together now for a couple of years, so I think there’s an understanding of what needs to be addressed.

“I think the one thing that people don’t realize is how competitive Alex is. We all know how smart he is. And he does not like to lose, I can tell you that.”

Dorsey wants back in the game.

“I love football,” Dorsey said. “It’s been very generous to me. I love everything about the National Football League … I’d like to be back in it.

He’s also proud of what the Chiefs accomplished during his tenure, that started in 2013 with the arrival of coach Andy Reid and Smith.

“I know I can do my job with the best with my peers in the National Football League,” Dorsey said. “I’m very proud of being able to help an organization re-establish their winning ways, and I think that’s important.”

This story was originally published November 21, 2017 at 5:00 PM with the headline "John Dorsey conducts first interview since Chiefs fired him."