Kizer: Browns' flirtation with McCarron shows 'I need to step my game up'

If not for an epic trade-deadline blunder, the Cleveland Browns would have another quarterback on their carousel of starters.

That reality is not lost on rookie DeShone Kizer, who's now had time to digest the news that his team nearly completed a trade for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron. The deal only fell apart due to improper paperwork.

"It's just another way of letting me know I need to step my game up," Kizer said Wednesday, according to Patrick Maks of ClevelandBrowns.com.

Kizer has struggled in his first season, particularly in the red zone. He's started seven games for the Browns and been benched or replaced twice.

He's expected to remain the starter, however, something that would have been thrown into question had the team acquired McCarron.

Kizer's completed 52 percent of his passes for 1,144 yards, three touchdowns, and a league-leading 11 interceptions.