Marcus Green

Extra Points: Kizer, Falcons, Broncos

By Micah Powell | at July 7, 2019 8:58 pm

Packers backup quarterback DeShone Kizer said he doesn’t view himself as a longtime backup quarterback, Packers News’ Jim Owczarski writes.

“I don’t see myself as Aaron Rodgers’ backup for the final era of his career. I see myself as a future Super Bowl MVP. That’s the goal that I want to head toward. That’s the level I want to play at. Therefore, if I’m competing and focused in on the backup competition, then once again, I’m limiting myself,” he said.

A second-round selection in 2017, Kizer was pegged as a high-upside but raw talent coming out of Notre Dame. Unfortunately, he was taken by the Browns, who proceeded to lose every game that season. At year’s end, he was shipped to Green Bay where he serves as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

Though he is a long way from his goal, Kizer said he is playing the best football of his career and is learning the ropes of the NFL from Rodgers, one of the best in the business. That, along with working with quarterback instructor Adam Dedeaux, could help the Fighting Irish product salvage a career that has seemed to stall. If all goes well for Kizer, he could continue to grow under Rodgers in Green Bay before looking for a chance to compete to start in a new locale after his contract is up.

Here’s more from around the league:

• Broncos third-round pick Dre’Mont Jones could quickly assume a large role as a versatile defender on the team’s defensive line, Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Post writes. A bit undersized for a defensive lineman, Jones has impressed with his pass-rushing ability both up the middle and as a defensive end.
• The Falcons haven’t had a punt return touchdown since 2014 and a kickoff return for a score since 2010. Looking to end those streaks are Kenjon Barner and Marcus Green, who are the frontrunners to return kicks for the Falcons in 2019, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. Barner was an accomplished returner in college at Oregon and has served in the role in the NFL. Green is a sixth-round selection in 2019 from Louisiana-Monroe who has turned heads with his speed.