Cleveland Browns: Impossible to predict starting QB situation right now
The Cleveland Browns have three quarterbacks who seem to have an equal shot at winning what is yet another quarterback competition in Berea.
Last year at this time, Robert Griffin III was firmly in place as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback. If that didn’t give you an ulcer, the uncertainty at the position in 2017 may do the trick.
As time has passed and the wait for training camp continues, articles from countless sources have made cases for three different players to be this team’s starting quarterback in 2017.
Cody Kessler, Brock Osweiler, and DeShone Kizer all seem to enter camp with an equal chance of winning the job, all with their own pros and cons.
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Kessler has the familiarity with the offense, but couldn’t pick up a victory in 2016. Osweiler is new and struggled in big spots a year ago, but has starting and playoff experience that is unmatched on the roster. Then there is Kizer, who is the rookie but the player with the most upside among the group.
The only opinion on the matter that matters is Hue Jackson’s, who declared Kessler the front-runner a few months ago. But those words ring hollow when it is clear we are in for another open competition, as the Browns are in no position to sit a player if he emerges as the best one of the group.
While Kessler opened as the favorite, Osweiler was hardly ever considered for the job as the team led fans to believe he would be traded or cut months ago. Yet here he is competing for the starting job. Kizer was also believed to be headed for the sidelines to learn the NFL game, but his skills are hard to ignore.
Ultimately, it may not matter who ends up winning the Week 1 job as no Browns quarterback has started all 16 games since Tim Couch did so in 2001, meaning it is likely we may see all three quarterbacks in action this season.
Next: What to expect from the 2017 draft picks
With a situation so impossible to predict, fans will have to wait until the preseason to see who looks the best. Even then, it may take a few regular season games for Jackson to figure out his best option.