Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson isn’t regretting the franchise’s decision to go with Cody Kessler over Dak Prescott, the ascending rookie quarterback who will lead the 6-1 Cowboys into Cleveland for Week 9.
The Browns passed on Prescott eight different times in the 2016 NFL draft, including in the third round when Cleveland took Kessler.
“Obviously we have the guy that we took and they have the guy that they took,” Jackson said, via ESPN. “I think that everybody has the right guy for them, and he fits for them.”
A fourth-round pick, Prescott has made seven inspiring starts for the Cowboys. He’s completed 65.2 percent of his passes, with 1,773 yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. His passer rating of 99.6 ranks sixth in the NFL this season.
The Browns are still winless after eight games, but Kessler has been a bright spot. The rookie quarterback has four touchdowns, one interception and a 94.4 passer rating. Despite suffering a concussion that forced him to miss last week, Kessler is expected to start for the Browns against the Cowboys on Sunday.
Certainly, Prescott has the better team around him. With an elite offensive line, a top receiver in Dez Bryant and a blossoming star in rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott, Prescott has shined in a situation perfectly tailored for a rookie quarterback.
The same can’t be said in Cleveland.
Even teammates realize the Browns would be best served to see what they have in Kessler over the rest of the season.
“Cody did a great job when he was out there,” said left tackle Joe Thomas, per Cleveland.com. “He surpassed everyone’s expectations. Plus, you have to factor in the realization that he’s a rookie and we’re 0-8 right now. The chances of us making the playoffs are not the highest so you’re trying to assess what we have on the roster for the offseason and we want to find more out about Cody.”
The Browns like Kessler. The Cowboys like Prescott. The two rookie quarterbacks will face off for the first time Sunday in Cleveland.
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