Hue Jackson: 'too soon' to declare RG3 starting quarterback
Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson is not going to paint himself into a corner regarding his quarterback situation.
While Robert Griffin III is the presumptive starter, Jackson hasn't seen enough out of the former second-overall pick to make it official.
"It's too soon,'' Jackson said on Saturday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "We haven't gotten into OTA's yet. We just have had offseason and voluntary veteran minicamp and now we've got the rookies in and I think that's way too soon. I would never do that. Again, every position is earned. There's always competition and there's a reason behind it."
Griffin is competing with incumbent starter Josh McCown, who flamed out during his first season with the Browns in 2015, largely due to injury. Rookie third-rounder Cody Kessler has also looked good early in workouts.
Jackson doesn't have a specific timeline for naming a starter, but it seems he'd rather move forward with someone taking No. 1 reps sooner, rather than later.
"That's hard to say because I want to feel really good about making that decision,'' Jackson said of the time frame. "I don't have a timeline. Obviously, we're going to do it way before we play. If we can do it after OTAs, great. If it has to be at another time, great. We'll do it then, too. Whatever's best for us, that's what we'll do."
"At some point in time, I'm sure with Sashi and myself, we'll make a decision on which direction to go, and it will be the right time. Timing is everything and we'll get there when we need to.''
RG3, who signed a two-year, $15-million contract with the Browns, was released by the Washington Redskins in March on the heels of three tumultuous seasons.
Once thought to be a certified franchise quarterback, it seems likely the Browns will give Griffin a real chance to rehabilitate his career under the QB guru Jackson.
If he struggles at all though, there will likely be clamoring for Kessler, or even McCown, from the Browns success-starved fan base.