BILLS FIRE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR AFTER LOSS
Witnessing a troubling surge in turnovers and a worrisome drop in quarterback Josh Allen’s confidence prompted Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott to fire offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey on Tuesday.
The move came 10 weeks into the season and a day after the three-time defending AFC East champions dropped to 5-5 to fall further out of the playoff picture following a sloppy, turnover-filled 24-22 loss to the Denver Broncos.
“We need to be a confident offensive football team, and find consistent production, and that’s really what it came down to,” McDermott said. “I’m as frustrated as anyone out there. We’re trying to win one game at a time right now, and we get a chance to right the ship.”
He then defended the timing of the decision in making the move entering a short week with the Bills having only five days to prepare before hosting the division rival Jets (4-5).
“There’s never a good time to do it, right?” McDermott said. “I always want to do what’s best for the team, and felt like this was needed right now.”
Second-year quarterbacks coach Joe Brady takes over as interim coordinator. He joined the Bills after spending the previous two seasons as Carolina’s offensive coordinator.
Something was bound to give with an offense showing signs of stagnation over a sixweek stretch in which Buffalo dropped four of six. The last straw was an outing against Denver in which Allen committed three of Buffalo’s four turnovers, and the offense was held under 26 points for a sixth straight game to match the longest stretch since Allen’s rookie season in 2018.
Notable
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is likely to miss the rest of the season with a neck injury that sidelined him the past month and his career could be in jeopardy as well. Vander Esch, who had a history of neck issues going back to his time at Boise State, had spinal fusion surgery after the 2019 season before missing time with a broken collarbone and an ankle injury in 2020, followed by more neck issues the past two seasons.
• The Minnesota Vikings signed linebacker Anthony Barr to their practice squad, bringing back their 2014 firstround draft pick and four-time Pro Bowl pick for depth after an injury to leading tackler Jordan Hicks.
• The New York Jets waived running back Michael Carter, a surprising move for a team searching for answers on offense. Coach Robert Saleh hinted Monday that schematic and personnel changes could happen this week.
• Houston Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman has been suspended without pay for three games for repeatedly violating player safety rules during Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Perryman can appeal the suspension.