Ken Dorsey, one of 38 quarterbacks to start a game for the Browns since 1999, is returning as Kevin Stefanski's new offensive coordinator.
Kevin Stefanski chooses Ken Dorsey as offensive coordinator
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Dorsey’s back.
No, not Buddy Boy. Former GM John Dorsey is a senior personnel consultant with the Detroit Lions.
It’s Ken Dorsey, the former Browns QB3. He's returning to Cleveland as Kevin Stefanski’s new offensive coordinator.
A team source confirmed Dorsey was offered and accepted the job on Sunday during the AFC Championship Game won by Kansas City over Baltimore.
It caught even the national insiders by surprise. None had even mentioned a note on the Browns’ OC search during the elongated morning pre-game shows.
Dorsey was one of five candidates interviewed to replace Alex Van Pelt, who was let go after serving as Stefanski’s offensive coordinator the previous four years.
The others were Andy Dickerson, former offensive line coach and run game coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks; Jerrod Johnson, QB coach of the Houston Texans; Brian Johnson, former offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles; and Kellen Moore, former Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator.
Moore was believed to be the favorite after his interview on Friday, but he opted to replace Brian Johnson as Eagles coordinator on Saturday. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni had said publicly his new coordinator would call plays, at which Moore had five years’ experience with Dallas and the Chargers.
It remains to be seen if Dorsey will take over as Stefanski’s play-caller. Van Pelt never received the responsibility except for two games which Stefanski missed because of COVID quarantine.
Dorsey called the plays with the Buffalo Bills after getting promoted from quarterbacks coach in 2022 to succeed coordinator Brian Daboll, who became New York Giants head coach.
The Bills were second in the NFL in scoring and offensive yards in 2022, and seventh in rushing. But Dorsey was fired in 2023 after the Bills fell to 5-5 with its offense struggling and committing too many turnovers. The Browns led the NFL in offensive giveaways in 2023 while starting five different quarterbacks because of injuries and turnover struggles.
Dorsey, 42, is the fourth new assistant coach added by Stefanski since the 2023 season ended. Three of them are former NFL players -- Dorsey, running backs coach Duce Staley, 48, and defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire, 43. The fourth, Tommy Rees, 31, was a former Notre Dame quarterback who was signed by the Washington Redskins but didn’t make the roster. Rees will probably coach tight ends.
In a direct message, FOXSports analyst Brady Quinn, a former teammate of Dorsey with the Browns, wrote: "He's been a student of the game since his college days. Was a coach on the field even while playing. He'll be a good fit with that staff and what they are trying to do."
As a player, Dorsey was a cerebral quarterback who overcame a weak arm with anticipation and quick processing of defenses. He quarterbacked the undefeated Miami Hurricanes to the 2001 BCS National Championship. His attempt to repeat was thwarted by Ohio State in the 2002 championship game.
Dorsey was drafted in the seventh round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. He was traded to the Browns in 2006 and released after the 2008 season.
Dorsey is one of 38 quarterbacks to start a game for the Browns since their expansion rebirth in 1999. He is QB11 on that list and one of 13 on the list to not record a win. He was 0-3 as a starter.
The Browns have not commented on any of the hires. They should do so this week. The Browns’ personnel staff and some coaches depart for Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, AL, this week.
