Coordinator dominoes continue to fall around the league. The Browns are set to hire Ken Dorsey as their new OC, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. 
Dorsey began his pro coaching career with the Panthers in 2013, but his first coordinator gig came about during his four-plus years on the Bills’ staff. From 2019-21, he served as Buffalo’s quarterbacks coach, taking over from Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator ahead of last season. Things did not go according to plan during the 2023 campaign, however.
Under Dorsey, the Bills finished second in the league in both total and scoring offense in 2022. Expectations were thus high for the unit heading into this season, but a regression marked by inconsistency was experienced. Despite the fact the team sat in the top 10 in points and yards at the time, Dorsey was fired in November and replaced internally by Joe Brady. The latter has since taken on the full-time gig in Buffalo.
In spite of his recent ouster, Dorsey drew immediate interest as a coordinator candidate. He met with the Browns one week ago; an interview with the Buccaneers was also on the books. Instead of speaking with Tampa Bay, Dorsey has elected to join a Cleveland staff which underwent notable changes on the offensive side of the ball following the team’s wild-card elimination.
OC Alex Van Pelt was among the personnel let go in a bid by head coach Kevin Stefanski to spark improvement in production. Van Pelt had been in place for four years (in a non-play-calling capacity), and Stefanski will likely continue to orchestrate the unit on gamedays. Cleveland finished 10th in scoring this season despite a rash of injuries across the board, but an uptick in passing efficiency will be a target moving forward.
Of course, much will depend on the health and play of quarterback Deshaun Watson in 2024 and beyond. Three more years remain on his fully-guaranteed, $230MM deal, and a restructure will be needed to avoid him carrying a cap hit of nearly $64MM next season. Dorsey’s ability to work with Watson and Co. along with Stefanski will be a key factor in Cleveland’s ability to return to the postseason in 2024.
Several offensive coordinator openings remain around the league, but to no surprise this weekend has seen a number of developments on that front. Dorsey marks another candidate off the market for prospective employers, and the Buccaneers (along with any other teams which had him on their radar) will now need to move in a different direction. The Browns, meanwhile, have filled a signficant vacancy on their staff.
Why?
….continue to flood around the league.
Yikes. Nobody proof reads anymore.
Great QB coach. As long as he’s not game-planning and managing the offense under pressure, he should be fine.
It really is OC n DC musical chairs. How R sum of these guys even getn interviews ? Even proven records of mediocrity are playing big this off-season. Interested in who Rams are going to pilfer to restock there staff.
Nailed it – don’t know why there’s not more ‘promotion’ from college or cfl for coordinators, fresh ideas and/or perspectives.
I like the hire, not a Browns fan but I think he will do well in CLE.
Real question is D. Watson as QB. If he cannot get back to what he once was on the field this team is in trouble for the next couple of years.
The Browns were 5-1 with Watson as a starter and they averaged 26.6 points a game in games that he started and finished. He beat Arizona 27-0. He beat Tennessee 27-3. He beat the Bengals and Burrow 24-3. His numbers were not going to be huge when the Browns have such a big lead after 3 quarters
What’s it really matter, if he doesn’t get to actually run the offense?
It’s so fun to watch people get fired and rehired in the NFL. Like “here take me and all my flaws and I’ll do better” when in reality it probably wasn’t even the guy that deserved the firing.
In this case, the team results show it was the coach. Even without the ability to retool the playbook in late season, the Bills looked and played more consistent with his replacement at the helm. Dorsey was a good position coach, but not a game-manager, so maybe he will do better with Stefanski calling plays.
Statistically, their offense wasn’t any better (in yardage or scoring) after they fired Dorsey. It actually got slightly worse. They just didn’t turn the ball over as much.