Josh Allen says Ken Dorsey would have job if Bills played better

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – The recent decision by the Buffalo Bills to let go of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey has deeply personal implications for quarterback Josh Allen.

Dorsey has been in collaboration with Allen since 2019, initially as the team’s quarterbacks coach. In January 2022, following yet another playoff heartbreak at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, Allen successfully advocated for Dorsey’s appointment as offensive coordinator.

Coach Sean McDermott made the call to dismiss Dorsey on Tuesday after the team’s record fell to 5-5 with a loss to the Denver Broncos on Monday. This marks the team’s worst win percentage through more than two games since ending the 2018 season with a 6-10 record.

Buffalo currently finds itself outside the playoff picture as they head into a Week 11 match against the New York Jets, the same team that defeated the Bills in Week 1.

Allen expressed on Wednesday that had the team’s performance been better, Dorsey would still have his job.

“Without a doubt, and I take that very personally,” Allen said. “It hurts a lot to see someone you care about go through a situation like that and to know that if I could have done more, if this offense could have done more, we wouldn’t have had to do something like that.

“… It’s an unfortunate series of events that have led up to it, but, again, as much as you can sit here and feel sorry for yourself and you can sulk on what’s going on, we got a game to prepare for and it’s four days away, so we can’t pay too much attention to it.”

The Bills would have clinched a victory against the Broncos on Monday night were it not for a penalty for having 12 men on the field that nullified a missed field goal as time expired, allowing Denver another attempt that secured the 24-22 win.

McDermott stated that the decision to let Dorsey go was based on the season’s developments. Quarterbacks coach Joe Brady has been appointed as interim offensive coordinator in Dorsey’s place.

“Obviously not a set of circumstances you want to be in, especially during the middle of the season,” said Allen, who mentioned that he discussed the move with McDermott. “I love Dorsey as a human being; he’s one of the good ones. He’s been in this room with me for a very long time.

“I feel like I owe him a lot of the success that I’ve had in my career, and he’s been a huge part of that, so it’s sad to see him go. The fact is, we play better as a team, we probably don’t have to make a move like that. He was a big part of what we’ve been doing here in the last few years.”

The Bills’ offense has fallen below expectations this season and has at times been too predictable, especially since Week 5. During this period, they have registered a 2-4 record and have averaged just 20.5 points per game, a significant drop from the 34.8 points per game average over the first four weeks. Turnovers per drive have increased from 12% to 21%, with Allen leading the league with 14 turnovers.

Slow starts have also been a significant issue, with the Bills being outscored in the first half since Week 5, excluding only the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants.

Allen conveyed his confidence in Brady, with whom he has worked closely since the coach was hired in 2022.

“The clock’s ticking on what we can do this season, and it starts this Sunday to try to turn this thing around,” Allen said. “It’s no secret in terms of how many wins you probably need to get to the playoffs, and we don’t got much more wiggle room. So, we understand that.”