The Cleveland Browns' extensive 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 at 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 why Kevin Stefanski could win his second NFL Coach of the Year award when it is announced on February 8th . But the Browns fired Van Pelt and two other offensive assistants because they feel the offense still isn't consistent with Deshaun Watson, who started 12 games in his two seasons and remains under contract for three more seasons reached a high level.
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, added the title of passing game coordinator in 2021, then was hired as offensive coordinator for the 2022 season.
Stefanski has called plays for all four of his seasons in Cleveland, but it is unclear whether Stefanski or Dorsey will be calling plays 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 play 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 their personnel changes until the roster is completed and the titles are determined.
Why make this change now?
The Browns had five confirmed coordinator interviews, and Dorsey was one of three with prior playing experience. One of the others was Brian Johnson, who was just fired as the Eagles' offensive coordinator, and another was Kellen Moore, who reportedly agreed to take over Johnson's old job with the Eagles earlier this weekend.
The timing of the news that the Browns had hired Dorsey was odd, as it came late in the AFC Championship Game, but the Browns had spent nearly two full weeks weighing their options and interviewing candidates.
The 2022 Bills were No. 2 in total yards and scoring and No. 5 in passing yards per game. Dorsey was fired amid a November slump in 2023, when the Bills were 5-5. The offense still ranked in the top 10 in yards and points through 10 games.
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(Photo: Rich Barnes / USA Today)