The Cleveland Browns have opted to go with Kevin Hogan as their starting quarterback beginning this Sunday against the Houston Texans. It will be the first start of his career and comes in the aftermath of that celebrated halftime tweak made by coach Hue Jackson against the New York Jets.

As previously reported, Jackson decided to replace DeShone Kizer after the rookie’s first-half performance. The 21-year-old has potential but is still considered a work-in-progress. The Browns are expected to work with the young QB before he is given the chance at starting again.

The fears of being demoted

With the change, it remains to be seen if the Browns can finally start winning games. Jackson has won only one game out of his last 20 for the Browns, a performance that places the 51-year-old coach in hot water.

In Kizer, Jackson sees all the tools he would want from a quarterback – arm, strength, mobility, and processing speed, Cleveland.com noted. Despite Kizer’s shortcomings, Jackson remains confident that the rookie can make the big jump, though there is no telling when that will happen.

Are Browns rushing Kizer?

Aware of his potential, Jackson believes that Kizer may be playing with a lot of pressure. The 21-year-old started for Notre Dame for only two years and now he finds himself trying to lead the Browns to a better performance.

According to ESPN, Kizer has been struggling in several statistical categories. This includes quarterback rating (49.5), completion percentage (50.9), interceptions (nine), and third-down passing. Hogan does have slightly better numbers, but he is seen more of a short-term and temporary solution. Jackson is convinced that Kizer can blossom into a full-fledged starter even if it takes time.

Challenge accepted

For Kizer, the setback is more of a challenge for him to improve and get back that role. Now he will have to earn it back, though, and how soon he gets that shot depends on how well Hogan plays this weekend.

Hogan will have his chance this Sunday at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Texans are unsurprisingly the odds-on favorite (-10) to prevail over the Browns (+10), according to oddshark.com.

For Cleveland, it is more about evaluating the latest change at quarterback. Will the team flourish (or flounder) with Hogan? How long will Kizer be kept in the freezer? These are questions hounding Jackson and the Browns who have yet to savor a win in the 2017 NFL season.
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