DeShone Kizer beats out Brock Osweiler for the Browns’ starting QB job.
BEREA, Ohio — DeShone Kizer will be next through the Browns’ quarterback turnstile.
He doesn’t want it to spin again anytime soon.
The rocket-armed rookie QB from Notre Dame was named Cleveland’s starter for Saturday night’s third exhibition game in Tampa Bay, and barring an unforeseen flop or injury — remember, these are the Browns — Kizer will start the Sept. 10 season opener against Pittsburgh.
After watching Kizer develop over the past month and show poise while delivering some long completions in two preseason appearances, coach Hue Jackson picked him over veterans Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler.
“I don’t ever want to put something on someone too soon if they’re not ready,” Jackson said Wednesday. “But he’s demonstrated that he’s ready, so let’s give him a chance to see if he can do it.”
Jackson said Osweiler will not play against the Buccaneers, raising suspicions the Browns may be trying to trade the 26-year-old, who has a $16 million guaranteed deal this season and was considered a trade throw-in when he was acquired in March from the Texans. Jackson said he had a good conversation with Osweiler.
“No one has said to Brock, ‘You might not play here’ or ‘You wouldn’t be the quarterback here,’ ” Jackson said. “That is not what was said just so we can all be clear about that. I can’t tell you what is going to happen at Pittsburgh yet because I have not said that for sure — without question this is our Day 1 starter. It is trending in that direction, but I have never said that.
“This is just where I am right now. I want to play DeShone. I think DeShone deserves this opportunity and let’s see where it goes.”
Osweiler entered the competition with an obvious edge because of his experience, but his inability to move the ball Monday night against the New York Giants may have doomed him.
“I have no regret on anything that’s taken place since I’ve been here,” he said. “I truly believe I’ve laid everything out there on the table.
“They know the quarterback and the teammate that I am.”
Jags to start Henne in place of Bortles
Chad Henne will start Jacksonville’s preseason game against Carolina, a change that could signal the end of Blake Bortles’ career with the Jaguars.
Coach Doug Marrone made the announcement Wednesday, a day before the exhibition and nearly a week after he created a quarterback competition in Jacksonville for the first time since 2013. Marrone said both quarterbacks will get time with the first-team offense.
Henne, a 10-year veteran whose last start came in 2014, outperformed Bortles during training camp and through two preseason games. If Henne plays well against the Panthers, he likely will start the Sept. 10 season opener at Houston.
It’s unclear what that would mean for Bortles, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The Jaguars exercised a fifth-year option in Bortles’ deal in May that would pay him $19 million in 2018. His salary is guaranteed only for injury, meaning the Jaguars could end up on the hook for a huge payout.
Raiders’ Penn ends holdout after 26 days
Pro Bowl left tackle Donald Penn has ended his holdout with the Oakland Raiders.
Penn reported for practice on Wednesday after holding out for 26 days. Penn was looking for an improved contract but general manager Reggie McKenzie said earlier in training camp that he would not negotiate a new deal with Penn until he arrived at camp.
The Raiders could have fined Penn $40,000 for each day of camp he missed but the team is not expected to do that.
The 34-year-old Penn is entering the final year of an $11.9 million, two-year contract. He is scheduled to earn $5.8 million in base salary this season with another $1.3 million in incentives and bonuses.