SATURDAY, 8:55am: While the Browns clearly want to secure that elusive first win, coach Jackson acknowledged that the quarterback decision was partly motivated by the future.
“He has some uncanny ability. He has some moxie, some poise and he has demonstrated that. He has done some good things in games, but you have to do it over a number of opportunities to really know that it is truly in there,” Jackson said (via Patrick Maks of ClevelandBrowns.com).
“That’s why I need to keep playing him to evaluate this and to know what we see is right and for sure. I will not get to know these things if I do not play him. It is best to let us find out. We understand the situation we are in. The beautiful part about it all is our team does not look at it as if our coaches are not giving ourselves the best chance to win. We feel like he will help us, and then we have a very capable guy in Josh, if something was to happen, that can go in there and play as well. I feel good about where we are right now.”
FRIDAY, 12:12pm: Browns coach Hue Jackson announced that Cody Kessler will start at quarterback on Sunday. The rookie will be slotted ahead of Josh McCown, even though McCown is healthy and able to go on Sunday against Dallas. 
[RELATED: Corey Coleman Set To Return]
Clearly, at 0-8, the Browns are playing for the future and not for the current season. When McCown was under center for the Browns, he showed that he can move the offense down the field, even if he’s not exactly a world-beater. Kessler doesn’t air it out the way that the veteran does, but he is obviously in their future plans whereas McCown is not.
McCown, 37, is under contract through the 2017 season and is slated to carry a $5.04MM cap number next year. However, Cleveland can cut him loose before June 1st and save $4.375MM against just $666K in dead money. Today’s move isn’t a signal that McCown is a goner, of course, as they could retain him as veteran insurance for a younger option.
Yea! Kessler bandwagon
Might as well. McCown is what is he is and the team will stink this year regardless of who is under center. Only makes sense to see what the rookie can do. Even if you may find out he’s not starter material, might at least be able to determine whether he can be a legitimate back-up as opposed to a clipboard holder.
Here we go again… Now Kessler will play well enough for the Browns not to take a QB with the 1st pick. Then over the next 2 years, we’ll get flashes who he could be, who he is, and injuries. Week be back here again in 3 years if we’re not careful! Commit to upgrading the QB position regardless of how he does. Please!
Or we can pass on good talent and draft another QB that will flop like the others. We need to stick with a QB. Not constantly draft a “better one” each year.
There is certainly merit to that statement. I feel like this year’s draft is the best chance we’ve had in picking good talent and I feel comfortable with Hue at the helm. We can’t take shots on obvious risks; i.e., Johnny Football, Old Man Weeded, and the like. If Kessler shows up I’m okay going into next year with him. Just be sure to not trust that he’s enough. Still need to draft competition and backups.
Its really not that complictaed. The Browns need to load up on defense with defensive line safety,cb and offensive line in this draft with all these picks. Next years QB class (2018) is much better potentially no need to panic and you can see kessler for a year and half and you will know and in the meantime you are strenthening the team around that future qb whoever that may be whether its kessler or another kid coming out in 2018.