The Cleveland Browns notoriously have a putrid history at quarterback, and they’ve started more than one QB in each of the past 15 years.
It looked like things could turn around this year, as the Browns have accumulated some very good young talent, including at quarterback. The team selected DeShone Kizer in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft—a steal at that spot, thanks to Notre Dame’s 4-8 finish, which diminished Kizer’s draft stock—and he’s earned rave reviews in camp.
However, instead of starting their potentially very good young quarterback, the Browns have reportedly decided to start their definitely not good quarterback, Brock Osweiler.
Osweiler has had a rough 12 months. He signed an absurd $72 million with the Houston Texans, got benched despite being paid all that money, then got traded to the Browns. He is very, very unlikely to be the answer to the Browns’ problems. However, the Browns seem to understand that. Since Kizer has gotten most of the first-team reps in practice, Browns coach Hue Jackson told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer that he wants to give Osweiler a chance.
Hue Jackson on Brock Osweiler starting Thursday: "Brock hasn't really gotten any first-team reps and this will give him that chance."
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 7, 2017
That’s pretty strange logic. If Kizer has gotten more of the first-team reps, and you think he could be your future, why are you giving away valuable game reps to the guy who’s definitely not your future? Why not just give Osweiler some of the first-team practice reps?
It’s unclear whether we can read a lot into what this means for the season, or what it means for the other Browns QB, Cody Kessler, since Jackson seems to be treating the preseason as a way to split up the reps. That doesn’t seem like a particularly smart strategy, as the Browns’ only potential future star should probably be getting as many reps as possible.
But the Browns just can’t quit their misery. Or maybe they really want to extend that multiple starters streak for another year.