Sean McDermott moved on from both Leslie Frazier and Ken Dorsey in 2023, with the latter decision preceding a late-season surge. But Dorsey had helped the Bills produce high-end offensive work during his 1 1/2-season tenure as the team’s play-caller. Both he and Frazier are on the interview circuit this year.
The Browns met with Dorsey this week about their newly vacant post, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. Cleveland fired Alex Van Pelt this week, opening up its non-play-calling coordinator position. The Bills made Dorsey a coaching free agent back in November.
Remembered for his stretch as the Bills’ OC post, Dorsey may still be best known for his place as the quarterback on Miami’s dominant early-2000s teams. He parlayed that college success into a career as an NFL backup; that included a stop in Cleveland. In a 2006 trade that sent Trent Dilfer to the 49ers, the Browns obtained Dorsey and a seventh-round pick. Dorsey finished out his playing career in Cleveland, working primarily as a Browns backup from 2006-08. He made three starts in place of Derek Anderson in 2008.
Dorsey, 42, spent four-plus seasons in Buffalo, joining McDermott’s staff in 2019 as quarterbacks coach. Previously, he spent five seasons as the Panthers’ QBs coach. These stints allowed Dorsey to help develop Cam Newton and Josh Allen, with both becoming superstars during these stays. Brian Daboll‘s Giants hire allowed Dorsey, who was in place during Newton’s MVP season as the Panthers stormed to Super Bowl 50, to call plays for the first time. That promotion produced mixed results.
Allen battled an elbow injury last season but still powered the Bills to a 13-3 record. The Bills ranked second offensively last season. But Buffalo’s QB dynamo struggled with turnovers to start the 2023 campaign. Eleven of Allen’s career-high 18 interceptions occurred during Dorsey’s 10-game run as OC. After the Bills’ last-second loss to the Broncos in November, McDermott made Dorsey a sacrificial lamb by indicating the scuffling team needed to change something. The Bills promoted Joe Brady, and while their offensive performance has not exactly spiked, the team has stabilized its season and returned to the divisional round.
Dorsey joins Seahawks offensive line coach Andy Dickerson as Browns OC targets thus far. The Browns employed Van Pelt as Kevin Stefanski‘s right-hand man on offense for four seasons.
Good for Ken.
Not all of the Bills problems were his fault. I supported the decision to fire him, but mostly as a shakeup.
I think he will be a fine coordinator. He needs to be able to reach Watson though, and I think Watson isn’t as motivated as he once was.
Lots of nice pieces there though if he gets it. Im just skeptical about Watson.
Who in their right mind would want to be a non-play-calling coordinator?
I can think of about million reasons why. Plus it can lead to other jobs and perhaps head coaching.
Lots of teams have that. SF and GB come to mind to name 2
Bienemy did that forever in KC and I think Pederson did in Philly. Callahan has been doing it in Cincy for four years and now will probably be a head coach.
Pretty much everyone who thinks a pass from the opponents 1 yard line in a SB is a great idea.
Any offensive position coach who wants to move up and make more money.
A famous example would be Pete Carmichael with Sean Payton, or any of Reid’s O.C.s over the years (such as Bienemy). The gameplanning helps the coach worry about other areas of the team, but you need someone who fits with the head coach’s philosophy, on top of already fitting the scheme.
My first instinct was to hate this. But since he almost definitely won’t be calling plays, it’s less of an issue. And most of his success has come while working with guys like Cam and Josh Allen (before he became his coordinator), who are more similar stylistically to Watson.
For better or worse, whatever the Browns do hinges on Watson. Obviously Stefanski realizes that.
I guess I hold myself to a higher standard on this issue.
So was your 1st job the CEO of the company? I mean who wants a job as just a department manager