Browns Plan To Name Starting QB By First Preseason Game

Browns HC Hue Jackson told reporters on Thursday that he’ll “definitely” name a starting quarterback before their first preseason game on August 12.

Robert Griffin III is still viewed as the favorite to win the job. However, Jackson stressed that “it will be earned out on the field.”

“Contrary to what some people think, he was getting there and has done a good job,” Jackson said of RGIII.

Cleveland still has veteran Josh McCown on their roster to go along with third-round pick Cody Kessler and Austin Davis.

McCown could be in demand if a team suffered an injury at quarterback in the coming weeks, but it appears as though the Browns are comfortable holding on to him as at least a backup option in 2016.

Griffin, 26, is a former Rookie of the Year and No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. The Redskins traded a huge package of draft picks to get him, but he fell out of favor in Washington, which led to the Redskins using him as their No. 3 quarterback in order to prevent an injury that would guarantee his 2016 salary.

Last May, Washington elected to pick up his fifth-year option worth $16.2 million last year, but they made the obvious move and cut him loose this offseason before this salary became guaranteed.

The Browns signed RGIII to a two-year, $15 million contract that includes $6.75 million guaranteed.  He’ll make a base salary of $3.25 million for the 2016 season.

In 2014, Griffin appeared in nine games and threw for 1,694 yards while completing 68.7 percent of his passes to go along with four touchdowns and six interceptions.

We’ll have more regarding the Browns’ quarterback job as the news is available.