Browns HC Kevin Stefanski Cedes Offensive Playcalling to OC Ken Dorsey amid Struggles

After the Cleveland Browns fell to 1-6 with their fifth straight loss, head coach Kevin Stefanski made a concession that he has long resisted.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Stefanski announced on Wednesday that he will relinquish play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.

"I'm just always looking at what we can do to just be a little bit better," Stefanski said, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "And the truth is, we have to be better on offense. Coach Dorsey is somebody that I rely on very heavily, and I just feel like it's the right thing to do."

Stefanski announced in July that he planned on retaining his offensive play-calling duties for the 2024 season. He held those responsibilities since he was hired as head coach in 2020, but the hiring of Dorsey, who had been with the Buffalo Bills for the last five seasons, caused some to wonder if it was time for a change.

That time has now come, as Cleveland is a team in transition after quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Dorian Thompson-Robinson also injured his finger in that game, leaving the Browns to turn to Jameis Winston as the team's starting quarterback going forward.

Dorsey presided over Bills offensive units that finished second and fourth, respectively, in total yards per game in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. However, he had perennial MVP candidate Josh Allen under center in Buffalo, so it will be a challenge to turn around a struggling Cleveland team.

Dorsey and the Browns will face a tough test when they meet the 5-2 Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.