Cleveland Browns Fire Coaching Staff

In a shocking move, the Cleveland Browns have officially fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and offensive line coach Andy Dickerson following a dismal 3-14 season. According to a team source, the decision was made shortly after the Browns closed out their season with a brutal sixth consecutive loss, marking their worst record since the infamous winless season in 2017.

NFL Network was the first to report the news, confirming that head coach Kevin Stefanski will retain his position despite the team's woeful performance. The Browns finished the year as the lowest-scoring team in the NFL, managing to put up only 26 points in their last four games combined.

Dorsey's Short-lived Tenure

Dorsey, who was brought in during the offseason with hopes of rejuvenating the offense, failed to deliver the expected results. The season also saw the Browns rotate through four different quarterbacks, a situation exacerbated by Deshaun Watson suffering a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon in Week 7. With Dorsey initially assuming play-calling responsibilities in Week 8, the team saw a brief spark with Jameis Winston at the helm, which led to wins against the Ravens and Steelers. However, this success was short-lived.

Offensive Struggles

As the season progressed, the Browns' offensive woes compounded, culminating in a league-high 23 interceptions. They struggled to score 20 points in their first seven games and surpassed 300 total yards only once—during a game with garbaged-time stats. Ultimately, Winston was benched after throwing 10 interceptions over three games, with rookies Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe taking over late in the season.

High Expectations to Nightmares

Dorsey previously had success as a play-caller for the Buffalo Bills and had experience working with notable quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Josh Allen, leading the Browns to believe he could help Deshaun Watson thrive. However, his tenure turned into a nightmare, finishing last in multiple statistical categories, including expected points added per drive and third-down conversion percentage.

Coaching Changes

Notably, the Browns had moved on from former offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt just days after the end of the previous season, hiring Dorsey at the end of January. Head coach Stefanski had initially maintained play-calling duties during training camp, only hinting at a possible change when the team started 1-6.

Assistant coach Mike Vrabel, who played a key role in the Browns' coaching staff, shifted his focus from tight ends to the offensive line midseason, helping the unit improve towards the end of the year. While the offensive line showed signs of progress, early-season struggles with quarterback pressure were largely attributed to Watson's tendency to hold onto the ball too long.

Stefanski's Future

As Stefanski prepares to enter his sixth season—potentially making him the longest-tenured head coach for the Browns since the early 1980s—Browns fans are left wondering if he can turn around a franchise that has struggled for decades. His overall record sits at 40-44 with two playoff appearances, but the pressure is mounting for him to deliver results in the coming season.

Looking Ahead

With the coaching shakeup, the Cleveland Browns are poised for significant changes, and fans are anxiously watching to see what the future holds for a franchise in search of a new identity. Will a fresh offensive approach lead to brighter days ahead, or is this just another chapter in the long saga of disappointment for Browns supporters? Only time will tell.