Cleveland Browns: No need to pursue a veteran QB in 2017
The Cleveland Browns may lack experience in the QB room, but there is no need to shakeup the group before the 2017 season begins.
Cleveland Browns fans are excited about the new group of players brought to town during the 2017 NFL Draft, but the focus leading up to the season is going to be on the quarterback position.
Specifically, who will end up as the starter.
Cody Kessler is the favorite right now, but Brock Osweiler could easily factor into the equation if the team keeps him, which was not expected when he was acquired. DeShone Kizer could also show up to camp and win the job, although letting him learn for a year would be ideal.
Sashi Brown has talked about how the front office won’t stop looking for a quarterback until the position is solidified, leading some in the media to question whether he would pursue a veteran quarterback.
Trade talks surrounding Jimmy Garoppolo and AJ McCarron clogged this airwaves this offseason, though those have obviously died down after the selection of Kizer.
But even though a trade could still happen, there is no need to make a change before the season begins.
The Browns may not have a clear starting quarterback on the team right now, but they have invested in the position. Cody Kessler came via a third-round pick, while a second-round pick was spent on Kizer. Then there is the $16 million owed to Osweiler this season, regardless if he suits up or not.
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Given a whole offseason to work with the team, one of the three should be able to do enough to give the Browns some competent quarterback play in 2017.
And that is just what the team needs. In the second year of a rebuild, it is impossible to expect any individual to step in and be great at quarterback. The offense line is solidified, but there is still inexperience at the skill positions limiting fans from declaring this to be a playoff-ready team. A 1-15 record last season also doesn’t help with that mindset.
Bringing in a veteran quarterback at this point may only lead to a further lack of consistency on offense, when a player like Kessler has been working with his teammates throughout the offseason to build some cohesion among the offense.
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So while some fans may like big names, it is smart to let Hue Jackson develop the quarterbacks he already has on the roster. Bringing in someone now would only continue the cycle of inconsistency at the position.