Last week, Browns coach Hue Jackson benched quarterback Cody Kessler during a loss to the Ravens. This week, Jackson seems to be second-guessing that decision.
“Cody has done some good things, too,” Jackson said, via Cleveland.com. “Maybe we’ve been a little too harsh on him that way. He’s made some jumps in some areas.”
Kessler has played well, given that he’s a rookie who wasn’t expected to play at all this year and was pressed into action after Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown both got hurt. Kessler has a higher completion percentage and passer rating than Griffin and McCown this year, and Jackson acknowledged that Kessler is growing into the role.
“That’s just work in progress. Young quarterbacks grow at different rates,” Jackson said.
Whether Kessler grows into a franchise quarterback who can lead Cleveland out of its doldrums remains to be seen. But he’s already done more than was expected of him as a rookie.