Did the Cleveland Browns let a future Super Bowl MVP leave last year?

The Cleveland Browns traded DeShone Kizer to the Green Bay Packers before drafting Baker Mayfield, but he still believes he can one day be a Super Bowl MVP

Back in 2017, the Cleveland Browns entered the draft in desperate need of a quarterback. They then made three picks in the first round, none of which were used for a signal-caller. They did, however, use the 52nd overall pick in Round 2 on Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer.

At just 21-years of age, Kizer entered the NFL as a talented, but incredibly raw quarterback. With only two seasons of experience playing for the Irish, he was seen by scouts as a developmental player who could start in time. Hue Jackson missed that memo and had him on the field Week 1.

Unsurprisingly, the young man struggled and was 0-15 as a starter for the winless Browns. He also had twice as many interceptions (22) as he did touchdowns (11). Following that disastrous season, new general manager John Dorsey traded Kizer to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for defensive back Damarious Randall and then drafted Baker Mayfield first overall.

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While Kizer then spent 2018 as a backup, he still has a lot of faith in himself. Rather than throwing in the towel and deciding he should be a career-backup, Kizer is working hard to prepare himself when an opportunity arises. And he believes that not only will he take advantage of that chance when it comes, but that he can one day become a Super Bowl MVP.

"“I don’t see myself as Aaron Rodgers‘ backup for the final era of his career. I see myself as a future Super Bowl MVP. That’s the goal that I want to head toward. That’s the level I want to play at. Therefore, if I’m competing and focused in on the backup competition, then once again, I’m limiting myself.” — Jim Owczarski, Green Bay Press Gazette"

While it’s easy to scoff at that statement, Kizer should be applauded for having the right attitude. He knows that at just 23-years old, his story isn’t done just yet. And if we are being fair, the Browns didn’t do him any favors.

Not only did Hue Jackson start him too early, but he also made matters worse as the coach didn’t give him maximum reps in the preseason. Rather than getting Kizer ready to play, he was showcasing Brock Osweiler in a desperate attempt to trick someone into trading for a quarterback with an asinine $16 million contract.

This isn’t to take Kizer completely off the hook as he did make a lot of bad decisions when throwing the ball. But he also showed some flashes, especially with his legs. As a rookie, he had 419 yards on the ground and rushed for five touchdowns.

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This isn’t to say his dream of winning the Super Bowl MVP is going to come true, but judging him solely on his rookie season isn’t fair either.

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