The Cleveland Browns’ extended search for a new offensive coordinator has landed on Ken Dorsey, a team source said Sunday. Dorsey, who interviewed with the Browns earlier this month, once played for Cleveland and was the offensive coordinator in Buffalo last season.
The Bills fired Dorsey last November, and the Browns were in the market for an offensive coordinator after firing Alex Van Pelt three days after their loss in the wild-card round.
The 2023 Browns became the first team since 2015 to win a game with four different starting quarterbacks, and that’s a big reason Kevin Stefanski might win his second NFL Coach of the Year award when it’s announced Feb. 8. But the Browns fired Van Pelt and two other offensive assistants because they feel like the offense still hasn’t found a consistently high gear with Deshaun Watson, who has started 12 games over his two seasons and remains under contract for three more seasons.
Watson’s 2023 season ended in November due to shoulder surgery. Watson is expected to be ready for the start of the offseason program, and Dorsey will bring prior experience coaching Cam Newton and Josh Allen to his new job.
Dorsey, 42, was the Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach from 2013-17 before joining the Bills in 2019. He served two years as quarterbacks coach in Buffalo, added the title of passing game coordinator in 2021, then was hired as offensive coordinator ahead of the 2022 season.
Stefanski has called the plays for all four of his seasons in Cleveland, but it’s unclear if Stefanski or Dorsey will call the plays next season. Van Pelt also worked closely with the quarterbacks during his four seasons, though the Browns had a designated quarterbacks coach in 2022 and 2023.
Former Alabama and Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will be coaching tight ends and will also have a role in the overall pass game. Wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea has carried the title of pass game coordinator.
The Browns won’t officially comment on any of their staff changes until the staff is completed and titles are finalized.
Why make this change now?
The Browns had five confirmed coordinator interviews, and Dorsey was one of three with prior play-calling experience. One of the others was Brian Johnson, who was just fired as Eagles offensive coordinator, and another was with Kellen Moore, who earlier in the weekend reportedly agreed to take Johnson’s old job with the Eagles.
The timing of the news that the Browns had hired Dorsey was curious given that it came late in the AFC Championship Game, but the Browns had spent almost two full weeks assessing their options and interviewing candidates.
The 2022 Bills were No. 2 in total yards and scoring and No. 5 in pass yards per game. Dorsey was fired amid a November slump in 2023 with the Bills at 5-5. The offense through 10 games still ranked in the top 10 in yards and points.
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(Photo: Rich Barnes / USA Today)
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