[ad_1]
The Cleveland Browns’ extended search for a new offensive coordinator has fallen 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 searching for an offensive coordinator after firing Alex Van Pelt three days after their wild-card round loss.
The 2023 Browns became the first team since 2015 to win a game with four different starting quarterbacks, and that’s a big reason why Kevin Stefanski could win his second NFL Coach of the Year award when it’s announced on February 8. But the Browns fired Van Pelt and two other offensive assistants because they feel the offense has yet to find a consistent groove with Deshaun Watson, who has started 12 games in 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 previous experience coaching Cam Newton and Josh Allen to his new job.
Dorsey, 42, was the Carolina Panthers’ quarterbacks coach from 2013 to 2017 before joining the Bills in 2019. He served two years as quarterbacks coach in Buffalo, adding the title of passing game coordinator in 2021 and was then hired as offensive coordinator prior to the 2022 season.
Stefanski has called plays during his four seasons in Cleveland, but it is unclear if Stefanski or Dorsey will do so next season. Van Pelt also worked closely with the quarterbacks during his four seasons, although the Browns had a designated quarterbacks coach in 2022 and 2023.
Former Alabama and Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will coach tight ends and also have a role in the overall passing game. Wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea has carried the title of passing game coordinator.
The Browns will not officially comment on any of their personnel changes until the personnel is complete and the titles are finalized.
Why make this change now?
The Browns had five confirmed coordinator interviews, and Dorsey was one of three with previous play-calling experience. One of the others was Brian Johnson, who had just been fired as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, and another was with Kellen Moore, who earlier this 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 nearly two full weeks evaluating their options and interviewing candidates.
The 2022 Bills ranked second in total yards and touchdowns and fifth in passing yards per game. Dorsey was fired amid a slump in November 2023 with the Bills going 5-5. The offense through 10 games still ranked in the top 10 in yards and points.
Required reading
(Photo: Rich Barnes / USA Today)