The Browns will name DeShone Kizer their starting quarterback following his performance in last night’s preseason game against the Buccaneers, sources tell Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. An official announcement is expected later today.
Kizer’s numbers against the Buccaneers certainly weren’t very impressive, as the second-round rookie complete only 6-of-18 pass attempts for 93 yards and one interception. But that was apparently enough for Kizer to earn Cleveland’s starting role over veteran Brock Osweiler, as head coach Hue Jackson said he was “comfortable” with Kizer following Saturday’s contest. On the whole, Kizer has attempted 49 passes during the preseason, completing 51% for 351 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
With Kizer under center, Cleveland will likely continue shopping Osweiler, whom it originally acquired from the Texans in a contract dump earlier this year. The Browns’ attempts to trade Osweiler are nothing news, as the club has reportedly been doing so ever since picking him up from Houston. But given that Osweiler is due a fully guaranteed $16MM salary in 2017, the Browns will need to eat some of that total in order to find a trade partner.
Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart machinations may not stop at the top, per Cabot, who reports the Browns may demote Cody Kessler to fourth-string behind Kevin Hogan. The regular season effects of such a move would be unclear for Kessler, who started eight games as a rookie in 2016.
Another stupid move by a stupid franchise.
Let this kid sit and learn.
Oh another season of frustration!!!!!
The moves they made lately have been pretty good, yet you go off the LOL BROWNS narrative that most credible people have ditched. Kizer is the best man for this job and Osweiler is probably not worth a team giving up their 7th rounder.
It’s a smart move to start Kizer now. It would be stupid to sit Kizer all year, lose never see what he has offer then have a Top 5 pick with several highly rated QBs in the 2018 draft.
At least they can see how Kizer plays, how reacts to pressure, his improvement and progression. Instead of doing dumb stuff like the Jets draft Hackenberg in the 2nd round and play Fitzpatrick in a lost season now sign career journeyman Mccown.
Maybe they did a fast forward season in Maddens with all QBs and he did the best
^^^^prob so. Good thinking… more franchises should employ this method
Why would anyone want someone who just lost a QB battle to a 2nd RD pick?!? Should have started Osweiler. Hoped he had a couple of decent games. Then let anyone BUT Keizer start. He can learn with a clipboard first and game 10-12 he can go take a few lumps. Or let him play a few series every week and learn a little bit at a time.
Kapernick is probably better than any of this group but he won’t get a look from “the good old boys” who run the NFL
I mean, I agree that he’s better but why would the Browns want him to potentially move them from a top 3 pick down to a top 10 pick when they’ve got no shot at the playoffs regardless of who gets under center?
Junkyard up there is right. Start Kizer because if he does well, great now you’ve got a young QB. If he stinks, great you have one of the earliest picks and can take one of the big QB prospects that people are actually excited about.
Good move. Osenweiler might have lucked into four wins and a #5 draft pick next year. Kessler would have been the best for tanking as he would get a win (unless they don’t play San Diego/Los Angeles this year). Kizer can possibly win 3, whether that is enough to get a top three pick (Jacksonville, Buffalo and NY Jets will be their competition). Do yet want to win 3 games is the question.