The Cleveland Browns' extensive search for a new offensive coordinator has reached 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 quarterbacks, which is a big reason why Kevin Stefanski could potentially win his second NFL Coach of the Year award when it is announced on February 8. But the Browns fired Van Pelt and two other offensive assistants because they feel the offense hasn't found a consistently high level with Deshaun Watson, who has started 12 games over two seasons and is still under contract for three more seasons.
Watson's 2023 season ended in November due to shoulder surgery. Watson is expected to be ready to start the offseason program, and Dorsey will bring his previous experience coaching Cam Newton and Josh Allen to his new job.
Dorsey, 42, was the coach of the Carolina Panthers from 2013-17 before joining the Bills in 2019. He served two years as Buffalo's quarterbacks coach, added the title of passing game coordinator in 2021, and was then hired as offensive coordinator before the match. 2022 season.
Stefanski has called the plays for all four of his seasons in Cleveland, but it is unclear whether Stefanski or Dorsey will call the plays next season. Van Pelt also worked closely with the quarterbacks during his four seasons, although the Browns had a quarterbacks coach hired in 2022 and 2023.
Tommy Reese, the former offensive coordinator at Alabama and Notre Dame, will coach the tight ends and will also have a role in the overall passing game. Wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea holds the title of passing game coordinator.
The Browns will not officially comment on any of the staff changes until the staff is finalized and titles are finalized.
Why make this change now?
The Browns have had five confirmed interviews with coordinators, and Dorsey is one of three with prior play-calling experience. One of the others was Brian Johnson, who had just been fired as Eagles offensive coordinator, and another was with Kellen Moore, who earlier in the weekend had reportedly agreed to take Johnson's old job with the Eagles.
The timing of the news that the Browns were hiring Dorsey was odd considering it came late in the AFC Championship Game, but the Browns spent nearly two full weeks evaluating their options and interviewing candidates.
The 2022 Bills ranked second in total yards scoring and fifth in passing yards per game. Dorsey was fired amid a November slump in 2023 with the Bills going 5-5. The offense through 10 games still ranks in the top 10 in yards and points.
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