Kevin Hogan should familiarize himself with the turf - he could be seeing a lot more of it this week. That's because the Cleveland Browns are handing the keys of the offense to the quarterback after just five weeks. The team made the change during Sunday's loss to the New York Jets and have decided to stick with it for the time being. The move could be enough to get the Browns off of their winless snide. More likely than not, however, it's just another name for the list of quarterbacks who have started a game for the team.
Hogan's chance to be a hero
The change became official on Wednesday morning. Cleveland coach Hue Jackson made a statement about the change and the rationale behind it. He stated that the team liked what it saw from Hogan on Sunday, when he came in at the start of the second half. Jackson was also quick to praise DeShone Kizer, despite his benching, claiming that the rookie will still be a major part of the organization's future.
Cleveland scored twice after Hogan entered Sunday's game. He threw a costly pick, but also completed 16 of 19 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, he ran for 30 yards. He played slightly less well in Week 2, when he came on in relief for Kizer, who was suffering a migraine at the time.
With his start, Hogan will join an ignominious list of quarterbacks who have started a game for the franchise. He is now the team's 28th starter since 1999.
Cleveland's future at quarterback
Fans with glasses half full will see this move as a promotion for Hogan. Many around the league will see it as a demotion for Kizer, who was named the starter at the onset of the season.
Frankly, it's a mix of both. Cleveland is 0-5 and in desperate need of a spark, even if it won't push them back towards the playoff picture. The team hasn't been able to land on a quarterback for almost two decades - anybody is worth a shot.
Besides, Kizer wasn't a complete bust in the starting role. Nobody expected him to seize the job when he was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
He managed to impress the staff enough to move past Hogan, Cody Kessler, and Brock Osweiler for the gig. He was always going to be a project. That project remains in progress. He just won't have to get smacked to the turf several times a game anymore.
Hogan will get his first chance to own the starter's role this Sunday, when Cleveland takes on the Houston Texans, a team that has had success with their rookie starter.
