Hue Jackson: ‘Too soon’ to formally name Browns starting quarterback

If you’re waiting for official word that Robert Griffin III is the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns, don’t hold your breath.

According to head coach Hue Jackson, the Browns won’t be naming a starting quarterback yet.

“It’s too soon,” Jackson said Saturday of a potential decision, via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “We haven’t gotten into OTAs yet. We just have had off-season and voluntary veteran minicamp and now we’ve got the rookies in and I think that’s way too soon. I would never do that. Again, every position is earned. There’s always competition and there’s a reason behind it.”

It seems like the Browns would like to do it sooner rather than later, but they’ll take as much time as they need to make a decision.

“I don’t have a timeline,” Jackson added. “Obviously, we’re going to do it way before we play. If we can do it after OTAs, great. If it has to be at another time, great. We’ll do it then, too. Whatever’s best for us, that’s what we’ll do.”

Griffin will be competing against rookie Cody Kessler for the position, with RG3 widely regarded as the guy who has the inside track given Jackson’s reported feelings toward him. The team does still have Josh McCown on the roster as well, but with his name showing up in trade rumors, it sounds like he won’t be a factor.