I don’t think I’m shocking anyone when I say that the Cleveland Browns are a mess. The persistent underachievers since their franchise comeback in 1999, the Browns have only been over .500 twice since and have been in one playoff game. Not to mention that the team has gone through literally dozens of starting quarterbacks trying to find “the one.”

This season, maybe remembering past history, the Browns didn’t go for a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft. Instead, they were patient and got Notre Dame passer DeShone Kizer in the second round.

In training camp, Kizer didn’t really inspire confidence in anyone. In a scrimmage against the Browns defense, Kizer went 7 for 14 for 46 yards and no touchdowns. Even with the disappointing performance, that actually could be enough to move Kizer up to the starting gig in their first preseason game against the Saints. It should be noted that this isn’t exactly going to be the plan in the regular season, but it seems like Kizer is getting the first opportunity with the starters.

“Absolutely, I will (look into shuffling the QBs),” said [Hue] Jackson. “I have to. We have a game next Thursday. [But] it doesn’t mean whichever road we decide to travel for next Thursday … that is the starter for the season.”

Jackson said if he switches the order on Monday, it doesn’t necessary mean the No. 1 is his new man to beat for the regular season.

“You can look at it like that (but) … this thing is still really fluid in my mind,” he said. “There are four good candidates. We have a lot of work to do, but there are some guys that will rise to the occasion with more work and more opportunity.”

Despite Coach Jackson saying he’s got “four good candidates,” (he doesn’t), it’s fair to keep the options open for the starting QB job. If you look at the other quarterbacks on the Browns roster, DeShone Kizer is competing against Brock Osweiler, Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan for the top spot. So this “quarterback factory” coming out of Cleveland isn’t exactly about who’s doing the best, it’s about who’s the least terrible.

At least Kizer has the most potential and it would be unfair to map out the rest of his career after one scrimmage in training camp of his rookie season. If anyone should be starting, it should probably be him because you may as well give him playing time and hope he grows into the role. Because I doubt he’ll get any benefit watching Brock Osweiler play instead. Having said that, Kizer has an uphill battle if he wants to be an NFL star.

[Cleveland.com/Photo: Ron Schwane/AP]

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp