When the Cleveland Browns acquired Brock Osweiler in a shocking trade with the Houston Texans, many thought it was a possibility the team could release the quarterback. Instead, they’ve hung onto him, and now he’ll have a shot to earn the starting quarterback job.
Browns head coach Hue Jackson spoke from the team’s rookie minicamp Saturday and gave a sense of the team’s depth chart at QB. He said that rookie DeShone Kizer will need some time to learn in the team’s “sophisticated” offense. He also shared that Cody Kessler, a third-round pick a year ago, will open the Browns’ OTAs as the team’s starting quarterback.
Though Kessler has “earned” the right to be the starter at OTAs, Jackson says Osweiler will have a chance to compete.
#Browns Cody Kessler will "start us out" with reps in offseason workouts and camps, Jackson said
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) May 13, 2017
#Browns Hue Jax said Brock Osweiler will have a legit shot to compete
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) May 13, 2017
#Browns Hue Jax said kessler has earned the right to start in OTAs
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) May 13, 2017
A depth chart featuring Kessler, Osweiler, and Kizer certainly presents some intrigue, if nothing else. Neither Kessler nor Osweiler found too much success at quarterback last season, though Cleveland may feel that just entering his second season, Kessler could have some upside, especially considering his strong touchdown-to-interception ratio and passer rating as a rookie.
Kessler passed for six touchdowns and two interceptions, while completing 65.6 percent of his passes. Osweiler threw for 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions last season in Houston.
