The Cleveland Browns grappled with a barrage of injuries, especially on the offensive front. Quarterback Deshaun Watson’s season was abruptly halted by a shoulder injury in Week 9. It added to the woes of losing key players like Nick Chubb. Despite the adversity, the Browns, led by veteran QB Joe Flacco, managed to secure a postseason berth.
However, the Browns playoff aspirations were dashed by a defeat to the Houston Texans, concluding their journey for the season. Looking ahead to the 2024 campaign, they are focused on shoring up their offensive capabilities. To bolster their strategy, they have enlisted the expertise of former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.
Browns signs Ken Dorsey as their new offensive coordinator
The Browns are going to lock in Ken Dorsey as their new offensive coordinator, as NFL Network Insider Adam Schefter reported on Sunday. His appointment follows an extensive interview process that saw five candidates vie for the coveted OC position. Among them were notable names like Kellen Moore, Jerrod Johnson, Brian Johnson, and Andy Dickerson. However, it was Dorsey’s experience and potential vision for the Browns’ offense that ultimately won him the role.
Cleveland has a new coordinator: Browns are hiring former Bills’ offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey as their offensive coordinator, per sources. pic.twitter.com/0Q7iteKWug
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 28, 2024
Although Dorsey’s playing career in Cleveland from 2006 to 2008 wasn’t illustrious statistically, his transition to coaching showcased his aptitude for the game. He completed 43 of 92 passes for 370 yards for seven interceptions throughout five appearances.
The veteran’s coaching journey began in 2013 when he assumed the role of quarterbacks coach for the Carolina Panthers, holding the position until 2017. After a brief hiatus in 2018, he returned in 2019 as the quarterbacks coach for the Buffalo Bills.
The departure of Alex Van Pelt opened the door for Dorsey’s arrival. Van Pelt had been at the helm for three seasons but parted ways with the Browns, paving the way for Stefanski to potentially delegate play-calling duties to the newly appointed offensive coordinator.
Kevin Stefanski, the head coach since the 2020 season, has been calling the plays for the Browns. However, with Dorsey’s expertise and experience, there is a possibility the HC may opt to hand over the play-calling responsibilities.
Why did Bills fire Ken Dorsey?
The sudden firing of Ken Dorsey by the Bills midway through the 2023 season raised eyebrows among fans and analysts. Despite the team’s ability to rack up yards and points under his guidance, offensive inconsistencies early in the season prompted a change. Head Coach Sean McDermott openly asserted that the decision to part ways with Dorsey was solely his decision.
#Bills HC Sean McDermott said he speaks to Josh Allen every day, but the decision to fire OC Ken Dorsey was his and only his. https://t.co/TvziXfsKyR
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 14, 2023
The tipping point appeared to be the lack of offensive balance and a noticeable increase in turnovers since Dorsey took over as the offensive coordinator in 2022. The Bills’ offensive struggles were evident throughout the season, with sporadic bursts of high-scoring games overshadowed by inconsistency.
A three-game stretch where the Bills scored 37, 38, and 48 points showcased their potential, but maintaining that level proved challenging later. The continuous failure to establish a consistent running game rendered them one-dimensional.
Ken Dorsey struggled to articulate a cohesive offensive philosophy or pinpoint specific issues. The lack of clarity on addressing underlying problems may also have contributed to his departure.
