The Cleveland Browns were expected to release quarterback Brock Osweiler before the start of training camp as part of a salary dump move. However, the Browns saw that Osweiler could be a potential starter this season, prompting them to keep the former Houston Texans starting signal-caller. Osweiler reiterated during Wednesday’s training camp that he wanted to bounce back from a disappointing one-year stint with the Texans and become the starting quarterback for the Browns.
"I want to be the starter of this team," said Osweiler, who was traded by the Texans to the Browns in the offseason for a 2017 fourth-round pick and $16 million in cash.
Before signing a four-year, $72 million deal with the Texans, Osweiler was Peyton Manning’s backup with the Denver Broncos.
Many thought the Browns would simply let go of Osweiler but his impressive stint during training camp made them change their mind. Now, he’s competing with Cody Kessler and rookie DeShone Kizer for the No. 1 quarterback spot. In his first year as starter, the 26-year-old Osweiler passed for 2,957 yards and 15 touchdowns, but also had 16 interceptions. Kessler, for his part, started eight games with the Browns last season, tossing six touchdowns and two interceptions.
Kizer gets first-team reps in training camp
During Tuesday’s training, the Browns played Kizer with the first-team while Osweiler mostly worked with the second team.
Head coach Hue Jackson downplayed the switch, saying the team is just mixing and matching and giving guys opportunities." Earlier, Jackson said Kessler could be tabbed as the starter in training camp, but now, the quarterback situation is unclear and anything could change between now and September.
Osweiler could be starter?
One player told Adam Schefter of ESPN that he will not be surprised if Osweiler is the No.
1 quarterback heading into training camp in July. Osweiler admitted Wednesday that his fundamentals slipped last season with the Texans, making some poor throws and poor decision-making. With the Browns, Osweiler is determined to put that forgettable year behind him and focus on this present opportunity with the Browns.
When it comes to experience, Osweiler has an edge over Kessler and Kizer, who was expected to be a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft but slipped to the second round at No. 52. Kizer boasts a strong throwing arm, but struggled with consistency during his stint at Notre Dame where he completed just 59 percent of his passes in 2016.
