The Cleveland Browns' extended search for a new offensive coordinator has come down to 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 three days after losing Alex Van Pelt 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 why Kevin Stefanski wins his second NFL Coach of the Year award when it's announced on Feb. 8. But the Browns fired Van Pelt and two other offensive assistants because they felt they couldn't find a higher gear with Deshaun Watson, who started 12 games into his two seasons and is 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 2013-17 before joining the Bills in 2019. He spent two years as the quarterbacks coach in Buffalo, adding the title of passing game coordinator in 2021 and then being hired as the offensive coordinator. 2022 season.
Stefanski has called the plays in all four of his seasons in Cleveland, but it's unclear whether Stefanski or Dorsey will call the plays next season. Van Pelt 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 Reese will coach the tight ends and have a role in the overall pass game. Wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea holds the title of pass game coordinator.
The Browns won't officially comment on their staff changes until the personnel is finalized and titles are finalized.
Why make this change now?
The Browns have five confirmed coordinator interviews, and Dorsey is one of three with prior play-calling experience. One of the others was Brian Johnson, who was fired as Eagles offensive coordinator, and another was with Kellen Moore, who reportedly agreed to take over Johnson's old job with the Eagles over the weekend.
The timing of the news that the Browns hired Dorsey was curious because it came so late in the AFC Championship Game, but the Browns spent nearly two weeks evaluating their options and interviewing candidates.
2022 Bills No. in total yards and scoring. 2 and tied for 5th in passing yards per game. Dorsey was fired in the midst of a November slump in 2023 when the Bills were 5-5. Through 10 games the offense is still in the top 10 in yards and points.
Required reading
(Photo: Rich Barnes / USA Today)
