Ranking all 30 of the Cleveland Browns quarterbacks since 1999
By Greg Newland
No. 26 – DeShone Kizer
As the ringleader of the 0-16 season in 2017, DeShone Kizer should probably be ranked no. 30. However, because he was the reason the Browns got a year and a half of “good” Damarious Randall, I’ll let him slide to no. 26.
There was never a doubt that Kizer gave it his all, and after a stellar preseason of throwing the ball deep, many thought the second-round pick could have been a steal. Once the shell defenses went away it was obvious that Kizer was not cut out for the NFL. In one season with the Browns, Kizer started 15 games, going 0-15. He completed only 53 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
While the Browns may have broke Kizer, he hasn’t seen any NFL action since 2018 with the Green Bay Packers, where the Browns traded him for Randall.
No. 25 – Luke McCown
Luke McCown, like his brother, was a journeyman backup quarterback in the NFL. In a nine-year career, he managed to win only two games but stayed employed with five different teams. As a rookie McCown would make four starts in his only year with the Browns. He would lose all four games with a completion percentage of only 49 to go along with four touchdowns and seven interceptions.
No. 24 – Johnny Manziel
While many quarterbacks in Cleveland had worst success than Johnny Manziel, perhaps none were more disappointing. After spending a first-round pick in 2014 on Manziel, many fans were shocked at first but then convinced themselves it was a good idea (me included).
Manziel would be nothing but a distraction on and off the field. Constantly in trouble and underperforming on the field, Manziel was quickly bounced from the league. The first-rounder lasted two seasons in the NFL with a 2-6 record. Fans were thrilled when the Browns cut Manziel after the 2015 season.
No. 23 – Connor Shaw
Connor Shaw was undrafted out of the University of South Carolina. His career was his extremely limited after only starting and appearing in one NFL game his entire career. In the 2014 season, Shaw was forced to start because of injuries and would end up losing his one opportunity. Shaw showed real toughness in that one start but didn’t have the arm skills to compete in the NFL.