Cleveland Browns: Putting into perspective the praise for quarterback Brock Osweiler
By Ryan Rosko
The Cleveland Browns still have time before training camp begins, but one quarterback has already been the center of attention.
The long-term answer at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns will not be known for some time. There is a very good chance no such clarity will even be known this season. However, that has not stopped the position (rightfully so) from being a key focus.
Cleveland’s four current quarterbacks are Brock Osweiler, DeShone Kizer, Cody Kessler, and Kevin Hogan. It is just a matter of time before Hogan is no longer on the roster.
Cleveland’s starting quarterback won’t be announced until late August or early September, but if one were to go off strictly what has been seen up to this point, there may not even be a battle. Osweiler would likely be the starter.
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Don’t believe it? Neither can I, but just look at what head coach Hue Jackson stated via Ohio.com’s Nate Ulrich.
It is still May and although positive statements have been made regarding both Kizer and Kessler too, statements involving Osweiler stands out more. For one reason, he is a seasoned veteran and higher expectations were made when he signed with the Houston Texans.
We all know how that worked out. Perhaps, if everything goes well, Osweiler could live up to some of those expectations in NE Ohio. If I had to say yes or no to that right now, I would say no, that is not going to happen.
Osweiler is a solid backup, but I would strongly prefer to see Kessler play. In 2018 Kizer can take over.
Being that it is OTA time in the NFL, what else do you expect coming out of Berea, Ohio? Cleveland is going to do what they can to limit the judgment on Kessler and Kizer is a work in progress. So, of course Osweiler is going to get talked up.
Even though he has done well so far in Cleveland, it has not been during any sort of meaningful action. One way some could look at Osweiler’s praise is trade capital. He was basically a throw-in in the Texans/Browns trade.
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At worst, the Browns could (should) keep him just for this season and cut bait following the 2017 campaign. On the other hand, some of this praise could be beneficial for Cleveland’s front office. They already have added multiple draft picks during past and for 2018 via trades.
It only makes sense for them to allow Kessler and Kizer to continue to learn and take their reps. Simultaneously, Osweiler will get his share of reps and once preseason comes around, could show enough for a team that is riddled with injuries at the position to give Cleveland even more picks.
The Browns already tried trading Osweiler before, but nothing came of it. Should Osweiler show that he can rebound from his Houston tenure, the Browns may have an interesting decision to make.
Do they trade him now (during the preseason) and let Kessler start, or does he remain on the roster (ideally as Kessler’s backup)?
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Should that type of praise be stated in late summer/early fall, then Osweiler could have a case to be made to be Cleveland’s 2017 starter. Until then, this is not big news as OTAs can only show so much.