After going completely haywire in an epic loss to the Denver Broncos on Monday night, someone simply had to fall on the sword for the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Sean McDermott himself said he needed time to “evaluate” things after the emotional defeat. It seems he didn’t need that much time at all.
On Tuesday, the Bills officially fired now-former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. The assistant had been at the helm of Buffalo’s offense since the start of the 2022 season, being tasked with helping to keep Josh Allen playing at an elite level. He won one playoff game with Buffalo before it bowed out of last year’s Divisional Round. Former LSU offensive coordinator Joe Brady will serve in Dorsey’s position in the interim. (Note: some Bills defenders seemingly got what they wished for.)
With Buffalo meandering about to a disappointing 5-5 start, it now seems like Dorsey’s being scapegoated for a team with clearly deeper issues:
Change in Buffalo: Bills fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, per sources. pic.twitter.com/tBnkFLzq0s
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 14, 2023
To be clear, it’s not as if the Buffalo offense was living up to expectations. Yes, per RBDSM.com, the Bills are third in expected points added per play. And yes, they are eighth in scoring (26.2 points per game). But Josh Allen and Co. meander about way too much on a consistent basis to add more weight to those numbers. Too often, Dorsey’s Bills would screw around for 35-45 minutes before turning on the jets in a rally that was too little too late. That is not a mix conducive to contending for a Super Bowl. Not to mention that Allen is a bit turnover-prone, but that’s the price you pay with a gunslinger like him.
All of that said, firing Dorsey now screams of wanting to throw red meat to a frustrated fanbase that thought the Bills finally turned the corner. His coordination was undoubtedly an issue, but he was more a symptom of a larger problem likely still eating away at this organization. Dorsey’s not the one calling back-to-back Cover-0 blitzes on defense with the game on the line, for example (cough, cough, McDermott). He’s also not the one failing to count 12 players on defense for a late-game substitution that gifted the other team a win. I’m just saying: McDermott does have a precedent for blaming coordinators (sorry, Leslie Frazier) after tough losses.
Maybe changing out Dorsey for Brady will work out, and this Bills offense launches into the stratosphere during a scorching-hot stretch run. Who knows? It’s certainly possible. But I have a hunch that for the NFL’s most disappointing team, jettisoning the offensive coordinator was much more about making sure this sinking Buffalo ship didn’t take on more water.
NFL fans thought the Bills were brazenly scapegoating Dorsey for the team's problems
Had to do something, I guess. But Ken Dorsey didn’t call the all out blitz or botch the field goal substitution that led to the 12 men on the field. Sean McDermott can’t fire himself, though. Reminiscent of Rex firing OC Greg Roman after his defense got carved up by the Jets. https://t.co/p751lEIl6E
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) November 14, 2023
I knew Ken Dorsey was screwed when he sent 12 players onto the field for a field goal
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) November 14, 2023
Ken Dorsey’s fault I guess. Can’t call handoffs and expect to keep your job. pic.twitter.com/Gb0N5MLMA1
— Wildes (@kevinwildes) November 14, 2023
Bills fans (and the surrounding environment) getting so reactionary on a week to week basis that Ken Dorsey is getting axed is more proof that there’s nothing worse than having a flawed franchise QB lol
— Diante Lee (@DianteLeeFB) November 14, 2023
The #Bills firing OC Ken Dorsey after another turnover-filled Josh Allen performance is a reminder that quarterbacks truly hold the fate of others in their hands every time they take a snap.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) November 14, 2023
Josh Allen watching Ken Dorsey get fired after his 3 turnover game last night and diggs get called a diva for complaining knowing he’s led the nfl in interceptions over the last half decade pic.twitter.com/pkL80rEAle
— John (@iam_johnw) November 14, 2023
Yeah, that’ll teach Ken Dorsey not to send 12 guys out there on field goal block. 🙄
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) November 14, 2023
Last season Sean McDermott fired DC Leslie Frazier to assume defensive playcalling duties himself after Frazier's squad ranked 2nd in DVOA.
Now he has scapegoated Ken Dorsey, whose offense ranks 2nd in DVOA and 3rd in EPA (while the defense ranks 21st in DVOA and 17th in EPA).… https://t.co/yLz3dleTnO
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) November 14, 2023
Ken Dorsey being fired at 5-5 needed to be done but the move was done a little too late for me. Sean McDermott is throwing the fanbase a bone and must be feeling the heat. This move is Not enough for me. I’m Not satisfied!
— LeShawn Jerman (@warloc6) November 14, 2023
OC Ken Dorsey fired in Week 11 of 2023 season. DC Leslie Frazier gone at end of 2022 season.
Buffalo seems to be at crossroads. Both coordinators out in less than 12 months as Sean McDermott searches for answers on Bills decline & Josh Allen mounting turnovers.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) November 14, 2023
Ken Dorsey firing is just appetizer to the Sean McDermott firing once this team inevitably misses the playoffs
— Sabremetrix📊 (@Sabremetrix) November 14, 2023
Sean McDermott firing Ken Dorsey when the Buffalo Bills offense has been very good outside of drops and fumbles pic.twitter.com/1PwUUXnVpT
— Brandon Olsen (@WNS_Brandon) November 14, 2023
Think Ken Dorsey is a good man and a good coach. But for whatever reason, that offense just couldn't get it together. Everything looks so difficult, almost all the time. Also, Sean McDermott has to be on notice. https://t.co/RDXIH74Zjj
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) November 14, 2023
DC Leslie Frazier in the offseason. OC Ken Dorsey today. Seems like HC Sean McDermott is nervous he's next
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) November 14, 2023
Sean McDermott is the Head Coach AND defensive playcaller for the first time in his career. I bet on him that he would be successful.
10 weeks in, he fires his offensive coordinator.
The Bills have gotten rid of Leslie Frazier and Dorsey in an 8-month span. If nothing…
— Ajay Cybulski (@AjayCybulski) November 14, 2023
