Following Monday night's 10-6 win over the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson said he hopes to have a decision on his starting quarterback by Wednesday.
"I will watch the tape," Jackson said after the second preseason tilt. "There were some things that I felt on the sidelines just being out there watching the game, calling the plays and watching how things happen. Like I told you guys, I hope by Wednesday of this upcoming week we will have a decision of where we are headed, and I think that is what we have to do."
Brock Osweiler got the start for the second straight week. He gave way to rookie DeShone Kizer after just two series. Cody Kessler entered late in the third quarter and finished out the game.
Jackson hinted that he is already leaning one way.
"I need to watch the tape and honestly answer that question, but I have an idea in my mind based on what I felt and what I saw from our football team. We will just kind of go from there," he said.
Osweiler finished 6-of-8 passing for 25 yards and an interception on a tipped pass. Kizer went 8 of 13 for 74 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions, while taking two sacks. Kessler earned a 7-of-7 night for 50 yards.
Jackson reiterated that he wants to put the QB competition "to bed by Wednesday." It appears to come down to Osweiler and Kizer. More to the point: whether Jackson trusts his rookie to grow with each game. Kizer has the tools to be a starting NFL quarterback but continues to struggle processing plays quickly, holding the ball too long, and misses some reads versus mostly vanilla preseason defenses. If Jackson doesn't think he's ready yet, then Osweiler likely gets the gig by default.
The coach gave lukewarm praise to each of the two quarterbacks after Monday's game.
"Brock did some things early, but obviously, the tipped ball..." Jackson said of his starter. "Again, you are getting holding calls and all of the sudden you are playing behind the sticks all of the time. That is not good. We are kind of mixing and matching the offensive line a little bit right now so that is tough. DeShone, there were some things he did really well and there are some things he has to keep improving on. To answer it all, I want to watch the tape before I give you an honest assessment of both those guys."
Osweiler doesn't inspire confidence he can win games for the Browns, but it might be Jackson's best option as he preps a raw rookie to take over later in the season.