The Cleveland Browns are searching for a new offensive coordinator after head coach Kevin Stefanski fired Alex Van Pelt this offseason.
Interviews have already started for his replacement, including a couple of former offensive coordinators looking for new teams after they were either fired or let go after new head coaches were brought in. No candidate is perfect, though, and there are good and bad traits to all the people the Browns have talked with so far.
The biggest question, too, is if Stefanski will give up play-calling duties to his next offensive coordinator to lead the team as a more CEO-style head coach. The next OC’s connection to quarterback Deshaun Watson should play a big role in who Cleveland hires as well.
Here are the pros and cons of the five offensive coordinator candidates the Browns have interviewed so far.
Former Los Angeles Chargers OC Kellen Moore
Pros: Five years of play-calling experience for two good offensive teams (Dallas Cowboys and Chargers).
Cons: Moore hasn’t completely elevated teams he’s worked with, and his presence would force Stefanski to relinquish play-calling duties.
Verdict: Yes, if Stefanski wants an OC who calls plays.
Former Philadelphia Eagles OC Brian Johnson
Pro: Experience in a good offensive system after three years with the Eagles. Spent a lot of time coaching in college as well.
Con: His offense wasn’t overly successful in first year as coordinator and Philadelphia elected not to bring him back after one season.
Verdict: Pass. Johnson proved he either wasn’t ready for the job or that the system didn’t work.
Houston Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson
Pros: Johnson is young and endorsed by Deshaun Watson’s personal quarterback coach. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud credited Johnson with helping him elevate his game during an impressive rookie season.
Cons: Inexperienced assistant after just one year as a quarterbacks coach.
Verdict: Yes, with the understanding that Johnson would be a work in progress and would likely be more responsible for the development of Watson in the offense rather than as a play-caller.
Seattle Seahawks OL coach Andy Dickerson
Pros: Good experience and track record as a run game coordinator during time in Seattle and Los Angeles as well as fostering a solid offensive line.
Cons: No play-calling experience.
Verdict: Potentially. Dickerson is a good coordinator for the trenches but it’s unclear how much he’d be able to elevate the passing game.
Former Buffalo Bills OC Ken Dorsey
Pros: Worked with quarterbacks in successful offensive systems in the past and has play-calling experience.
Cons: Flamed out in Buffalo after one-and-a-half seasons. The Bills’ offense also got better without him running the show at the end of the 2023 season.
Verdict: Pass. Dorsey’s booth blow-up in 2022 should have been the indication that he isn’t yet ready to be an offensive coordinator and then he followed that up with a midseason firing that almost cost the Bills a playoff spot.
