Ranking the Browns 28 Starting QB’s Since 1999
By Mitch Zoloty
No. 21: Kevin Hogan
Kevin Hogan was a good college quarterback out of Stanford, but his talents didn’t translate over into an NFL offense that well. Hogan was a fifth round pick by the Chiefs during John Dorsey’s tenure there.
After being released by the Chiefs, he was quickly picked up by the Browns, where he was placed on the practice squad. He eventually would see time in a game against the Bengals, due to an injury to Cody Kessler. Hogan would set the record for the longest rushing touchdown by a Browns quarterback, but would eventually lose the game.
Hogan would earn one start in the horrendous 2017 season and see some memorable snaps.
Week 2, during Deshone Kizer’s migraine game, he entered the game to replace Kizer. Week 5, Hogan again replaced Kizer and almost lead a comeback against the Jets, going a respectable 16-of-19 for 194 yards with two touchdowns and a pick.
This would be enough to earn him the starting job for Week 6, officially putting his name on the quarterback jersey. The Browns lost to the Texans 33-17 as Hogan was 20-of-27 for 140 yards with just one touchdown but three interceptions.
This starting stint would not be long lived. His poor Week 6 performance earned Kizer the starting job back.
The following offseason Hogan was dealt to the Redskins — after requesting a trade — and is currently on their roster.
No. 20: Thad Lewis
Thaddeus Lewis, Thad for short, was an undrafted free agent from Duke. After being released from the Rams, the Browns claimed him in 2011. However, he wouldn’t see the field till the 2012 season.
Lewis was given the opportunity to start Week 17 against the Steelers. The Browns dropped this game to a Steelers team that would finish 8-8 by a score of 24-10. This loss wasn’t on Lewis though.
The young signal caller had a decent game, going 22-of-32 for 204 yards with a touchdown and interceptions apiece. This was pretty impressive, counting the low hopes many had for him, and the fact that it was against a pretty darn good Steelers defense. These stats won’t amaze anyone, but it was a good outing for the quarterback who hadn’t taken a regular season snap since college.
Sadly, this would be the last start Thad would get as a Browns quarterback. He was waived in the offseason and eventually make his way to Buffalo where he started five games for them, going 2-3.
Bruce Feldman reports that he is now an offensive analyst at UCLA, under head coach Chip Kelly.
No. 19: Doug Pederson
Many Browns fans wish that Doug Pederson was still a Cleveland Brown. However, most aren’t wanting him as the starting quarterback.
Pederson has had a great career as a head coach in the NFL so far, winning the past Super Bowl with the Eagles. However, Pederson has not always seen Super Bowl caliber success in the NFL.
During his career as a player, Pederson was a below average quarterback. He was an undrafted free agent out of Northeast Louisiana and bounced around the NFL for a few years. Eventually, he made his way to the Browns in 2000.
After an injury to Tim Couch, Pederson would earn 8 starts as a Brown. He would only win one of them, a 19-11 win over a then 2-8 New England Patriots team.
Doug would end his stint in a Cleveland uniform with two touchdown passes, but four times as many picks. He also had just a mediocre 55.7 completion percentage.
His first stint with the Browns was not ideal, but could a second stint as a head coach be coming soon? Most likely not. One could hope, though.