The Cleveland Browns have yet another quarterback controversy heading into the 2017 football season, which shouldn't come as a surprise. This is a franchise that has started 26 different starting quarterbacks since 1999.
The three-way competition among Brock Osweiler, Cody Kessler and DeShone Kizer is an intriguing storyline heading into Hue Jackson's second season. You could make a case for (and against) all three quarterbacks, and there should be a few more twists along the way.
Cody Kessler
Pros: Kessler has the most work in Jackson's system, and that amounted to eight starts last season. Kessler displayed decent accuracy as a rookie with a 65.6 completion percentage, and he should be better after the Browns' made upgrades in the offensive line. If Kessler played in all 16 games, then he likely would have led the league in that department. Kessler played well in spots, including a 336-yard effort, two-TD against the Titans. When we assessed this quarterback situation back in March, Kessler had the best chance to start among the rostered QBs. That hasn't changed.
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Cons: Kessler still went 0-8 as the starter, and unless he separates himself in training camp this also feels more like a stop-gap than a real-time solution for a franchise that has played alphabet soup with quarterbacks. Kessler's accuracy is a plus, but in those eight games he had just 17 completions of 20 yards or more. When you are taking more sacks than completing chunk plays in the passing game, that's a problem. That's obviously not all Kessler, but it's a factor in the decision.
DeShone Kizer
Pros: Kizer has received some first-team reps with Kessler at minicamp, though Jackson downplayed that increase in reps. Kizer is a 6-foot-4, 230-pound rookie with upside, and Cleveland was able to snag him at a second-round price. He produced big-time stats in two seasons at Notre Dame, and he'll likely be the most popular choice among the fans because he's the newest quarterback in the fold.
Cons: You can say college stats don't matter, but Kizer played for a 4-8 team last year. This also could be a situation where Kizer could learn as a backup for a year rather than being pressed into service too soon. That said, if Kizer can't win the job now, then why wouldn't the Browns go quarterback hunting again in 2018 with a class that includes Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson?
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Brock Osweiler
Pros: Osweiler has the most experience of the three quarterbacks, and that's come with a 13-8 record in the regular season and two playoff starts for the Texans. He's made it clear in minicamp that fundamentals are the focus in working with Jackson, who works closely with the quarterbacks in Cleveland. Osweiler has completed close to 60 percent of his passes for his career. Osweiler might not be a long-term solution, but he could be the short-term answer for 2017.
Cons: Cleveland assumed Osweiler's $16 million in guaranteed money as part of that Moneyball style trade with the Texans, but how much more do they want to invest in a quarterback who has played for three teams in three seasons with 26 TDs and 22 INTs for his career. If he's just stopgap, then why play him?
Verdict
Jackson should promote a fierce three-way competition in training camp and keep an open mind throughout the process. We're guessing Kessler starts the preseason opener, but Kizer could push for — and perhaps overtake Kessler — if he comes out ahead of schedule. If it's close, then why wouldn't the Browns give Kizer that look? Osweiler is the wild card in the competition and shouldn't be discounted because of that experience. We're guessing Kessler starts Week 1 against Pittsburgh, but this one comes down to the wire, and we won't be surprised if Jackson chooses Kizer instead.
