DeShone Kizer: 'I don't play this game to sit on the bench'

DeShone Kizer is trying to take the positives from his benching.

After Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson announced Kevin Hogan would get the start this week behind center, Kizer vowed to do whatever it takes to get back out on the field.

"I don't play this game to sit on the bench, so now it's about accepting this as a challenge and doing whatever I can to get back out there and once again be the best quarterback and the best version of myself I can be,'' Kizer said, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

Kizer has thrown nine interceptions as the Browns are off to an 0-5 start, but he's not the only one to blame for Cleveland being winless. The Browns lack talent at the skill positions around Kizer, though the rookie isn't making excuses.

"Nothing makes this easier,'' Kizer said. "I'm a competitor. I want to be out there playing. When I came out here and got drafted here, my ultimate goal was to be the starting quarterback for every opportunity that I could and I came a little short of that this week and I'm going to do whatever I can to get right back on the path that I was on."

Kizer did note his relationship with Jackson is still good and his head coach is sticking by him.

"Nah, he's completely riding with me still,'' Kizer said. "He's just going to ride with me from a new angle. And he felt like this offense needed a spark and that they're going to be able to get that with Kevin. I believe that he's still going to ride with me throughout this time that I'm not the starter and making sure that I'm continuing to develop through reps in practice and learning from Kevin as he's out there leading this team."