Browns Turn To Ex-Bills Assistant To Fill Offensive Coordinator Vacancy

The Browns answered the first major question of their offseason on Sunday.

11 days after parting ways with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and several other offensive assistants, Cleveland has tabbed a new OC, hiring ex-Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey for the role, according to multiple reports. Dorsey spent each of the last two seasons as Buffalo's signal caller, but was fired during the season after the team fell to 5-5.

Sources: The #Browns are hiring former #Bills OC Ken Dorsey as their new OC. He lands quickly in Cleveland after an impressive interview and takes a key role on Kevin Stefanski’s staff. pic.twitter.com/owyHouuWov
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 28, 2024

Dorsey is no stranger to Cleveland, having spent three seasons as a quarterback for the Browns from 2006-2008. During that span he started just three games, going 43-92 for 370 yards and seven interceptions. He never threw a touchdown in a Browns uniform.

After retiring from football in 2011, Dorsey quickly earned an opportunity to return to the NFL as a Pro Scout, joining the Carolina Panthers as part of first-year head coach Ron Rivera's staff. By 2013 he was shifted into a coaching role as he transitioned into being a quarterback coach. Over the next five seasons Dorsey worked closely with 2015 league MVP Cam Newton. That same year Carolina made a trip to the Super Bowl.

The University of Miami product returned to Florida in 2018 to serve as an assistant Athletic Director at FIU, but it was a short lived hiatus from the NFL. One year later he joined Sean McDermott's staff as the quarterbacks coach. He added pass game coordinator to his title in 2021 and then was promoted to full-fledged offensive coordinator after the departure of current Giants head coach, Brian Daboll in 2021.

Dorsey held that role through Week 10 of this past season, before McDermott opted to move in a different direction after Buffalo dropped four of seven games in the middle of the season. Dorsey's offense put up some notable numbers in 2023 as it ranked third in DVOA, third in EPA/Play, fourth in QBR, third in Yards Per Play, second in third Down conversion percentage and third in red zone efficiency.

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However, the offense was criticized for lacking creativity as it often relied solely on star quarterback Josh Allen and top wideout Stefon Diggs to move the ball effectively. After Dorsey's departure, Buffalo's run game saw a major uptick in production and the Bills went on to win six straight games to end the season and win the AFC North.

Now, Dorsey returns to the shores of Lake Erie to work alongside

Kevin Stefanski

to bring a different perspective to the offense and help return quarterback

Deshaun Watson

to the top 10 QB he used to be in

Houston