The Cleveland Browns have enlisted the services of Andy Dickerson, a seasoned NFL coach and a familiar face in the league, to fill the role of the team’s next offensive line coach, succeeding Bill Callahan.
Dickerson, who previously worked with the Browns as an assistant under Eric Mangini in 2009 and 2010, returns to the organization with the challenge of replacing Callahan and elevating the offensive line to new heights, leveraging the successful strategies he employed with the Seattle Seahawks.
Widely praised for his contributions to the Seahawks, Dickerson served as the run game coordinator in 2021, helping the team achieve a notable 5.02 yards per attempt, ranking third in the NFL. In 2022, he navigated the transition to rookie offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas while quarterback Geno Smith earned a Pro Bowl nod.
In his new role, Dickerson will address the performance of three skilled offensive tackles and one of the NFL’s premier interior line groups. Despite the presence of talent, injuries and a lack of cohesive performance plagued the Browns’ offensive line last season, and Dickerson’s task will be to revitalize their run game, which saw its worst collective performance since Kevin Stefanski’s arrival in 2020.
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, and a former offensive lineman at Tufts University from 1999 to 2002, Dickerson was initially considered by the Browns as an offensive coordinator option before they ultimately hired Ken Dorsey. The connection with Sean McVay from Dickerson’s time with the Los Angeles Rams played a significant role in the Browns’ decision to bring him on board.
Although Dickerson started working with the Rams in 2012, well before McVay’s tenure, his expertise in offensive line management became evident during his time as the Seahawks’ run game coordinator in 2021. While not directly appointed to coach the offensive line by Shane Waldron, Dickerson was tasked with overseeing all aspects of the Seahawks’ run game strategy each week and collaborated closely with longtime offensive line coach Mike Solari.
Following a disappointing 2021 season, the Seahawks parted ways with Solari due to concerns about pass protection and run-blocking approach misalignment with Waldron’s vision. Solari subsequently joined the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the 2023 season.
With Dickerson assuming the dual role of offensive line coach and run game coordinator, the Browns anticipate benefiting from his experience, particularly in integrating motion with run concepts. As the team undergoes a significant offensive overhaul in 2024, more insights into Dickerson’s coaching philosophies and approach will be covered in the coming days by The OBR.