Krunch Time With Katelin: Quarterback Controversy In Cleveland?

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE


The Cleveland Browns have a Quarterback controversy on their hands. Okay its not a big controversy but Hue Jackson does have a decision to make. The battle for starting quarterback is between rookie Cody Kessler vs veteran Josh McCown. And there is an argument for both players to start for this team. 

Yes, both are hurt and it seems logical to keep Kessler in because he hasn't played bad enough to lose the job. Kessler's stats are 54/81 529 yards two touchdowns and one interception. Now we all understand that Kessler isn't going to be the future starting quarterback for this team, but this year has been a perfect year for Kessler to learn the game and develop on the run. Again he hasn't played bad at all, and his worst throw was the interception which was against Josh Norman. Kessler is the game manager every team wants in a backup, which is why the Browns drafted him in the third round. 

Here is the unfortunate thing though...the Browns are still winless through five weeks and are the last winless team in the NFL. With Tennessee coming up this week, it seems very likely the Browns are going to start Josh McCown. 

McCown gives this team the best chance to win every week especially with the lack of playmakers with Corey Coleman out for another few weeks. And that's not a knock on Kessler either, but when the Browns are trying to develop a young offense with rookie wide receivers starting the veteran quarterback could help quicken the development. But again, McCown gives this team the best chance to win a game and going into week six that is what the Browns are searching for. We might be having a different conversation if Cody Parkey hits that game winning field goal against Miami but that is neither here nor there. 

It also seems extremely likely that McCown will play because of the recent roster moves. The Browns released quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and then signed Kevin Hogan (rookie quarterback from Stanford) to the active roster from the practice squad. So it seems unlikely that the Browns would have a rookie starter and a rookie backup even if its just for one week. 

We Browns fans are used to quarterback controversies, but this one seems different. Its only week six, with 11 weeks to go. I'm sure the number two guy will be back playing in a few short weeks anyways because Cleveland...And don't worry Hogan will be the fourth starting quarterback of the season and the 27th different starter since '99. But lets just hope this tornado of a year ends with a rainbow with a pot of gold at the end...allowing the Browns to have the number one overall pick in the draft for the first time since 2000.