How difficult was it for Ken Dorsey, the newly appointed offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, to take on this role?
Speaking of root canals, Dorsey added, “It was damn near like a root canal to get this job.” Dorsey is joining one of four NFL teams that has never made it to the Super Bowl.
Regarding head coach Kevin Stefanski and the Browns’ hiring procedure, Dorsey remarked, “The thing I respect about this organization and Kevin the most is how thorough they are in making these decisions.”
This week, Browns decision-makers made a number of choices, the most of which involved offensive line coaches. The big story was that Dorsey took over as offensive coordinator in place of Alex Van Pelt.
Ken was a man Stefanski stated, “that we identified that could help us, help me, be an integral part of this offense,” when the team made their pick very early on. Ken and I have been acquainted for a brief period of time. If you will, we’ve sort of emerged into this career together. Simply observing Ken succeed as a coach and a player in the pros and in college. He truly embodies our cultural identity.
Dorsey, who played quarterback for the University of Miami’s 2001 National Champions, had a brief professional career that included two stints with the Browns (2006, 2008). Josh Allen, the quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, benefited from Dorsey’s guidance throughout his five years as the team’s quarterback coach.
The Browns, who had a terrible offensive season in 2023 when they went through five different quarterbacks, sustained injuries to many lines, and finished near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency, will present a significant task for the 42-year-old Dorsey (who is a year older than Stefanski)
Stefanski stated, “Ken was a guy that we identified that could help us, help me, be an integral part of this offense when we made this decision (to overhaul the offense) very early on.” Dorsey was characterized as “a smart person who fits us from a culture standpoint, has had a ton of success really every stop along the way.”
The two greatest tasks for the new offensive coordinator of the Browns are to get quarterback Deshaun Watson back to normal after two essentially lost seasons in which he appeared in just 11 of 35 games because to injuries and suspensions. In the event that Stefanski decides to give up the play-calling responsibilities he has carried out throughout his four years as Browns coach, Dorsey will face yet another obstacle.
“Play calling is a topic that I know everyone wants to discuss. We’ll succeed,” Stefanski remarked. The most crucial thing and the one I’m most excited about is reassembling this offensive with Ken at the forefront.
It is crucial that Dorsey returns Watson to the level he attained in Houston, when he was selected to the Pro Bowl three times in a row (2018–20).
Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns in 2024; throughout the first two years of the deal, Watson’s effect was minimal.
With Deshaun being one of the best quarterbacks in the game, I’m very excited to work with this offense, Dorsey added. “The chance to go out there this season and support him in demonstrating to the rest of the football world that he is a premier quarterback capable of winning a lot of games.” I’m therefore delighted about that chance.
Play-calling duties may be Dorsey’s second priority if Project Watson is his first priority. When it comes to calling plays, Stefanski has been obstinately possessive throughout his four years as head coach. And he’s been it alone, sometimes to the chagrin of Browns supporters. It is difficult to dispute the outcomes, though, as Stefanski would have won two NFL Coach of the Year titles in his four seasons with the Browns if he wins the trophy this year.
But the truth is that if Watson can’t remain on the field, it won’t really matter who calls the plays—Stepanski or Dorsey.
Deshaun’s desire to be mentored is what excites me about him, according to what Kevin and the other guys have told me. He desires to be prodded and motivated. And I believe I can continue where the staff left off with that.
For Dorsey, the equation is straightforward.
“Going out and scoring points and helping us win football games, whether it’s one point or twenty points or whatever, is our job in the quarterback room,” he declared. “And I believe that having a guy like Watson will enable you to accomplish that.”
