Nothing changes for Cody Kessler.
After the Browns announced Brock Osweiler as the team's starter for Thursday's preseason opener, the second-year quarterback said he's approaching this week as if he'll be the first one out there under the lights at FirstEnergy Stadium.
"It's the same mindset you keep every time. Whether you're going first group, second group, whatever it may be, you have to prepare like a starter," Kessler said Monday. "That's something I've been doing since high school. Nothing changes no matter what the rotation is or where you go."
That's the approach Kessler, who had been working with the first-team offense since the beginning of offseason workouts, will continue to take as training camp marches on.
Kessler, who started eight games as a rookie last season, earned the first crack at the job following several admirable performances in 2016 and an offseason in which he worked to improve his arm strength, among other dynamics. He described the past 10 days, however, as a series of highs and lows while splitting reps with Osweiler, rookie DeShone Kizer and Kevin Hogan.
"That is a big thing at the quarterback position," he said when asked about the importance of consistency. "You have to do it day in and day out. Like I told you guys before, there are some ups and some downs with everything, but you have to keep your emotions level-headed and continue to do everything the right way. I think the biggest thing is to put things behind you.
"If you have a good play, a bad play, whatever it might be, you have to move onto the next one," he continued. "That has been my mindset – learn from mistakes or different things like that, and continue to grow as a player and as a quarterback."
Though Monday's announcement marks a shift in the Browns' quarterback competition, Jackson has emphasized nothing is set in stone.
"I'm pleased with the way our quarterbacks have competed and improved throughout the offseason and training camp," he said. "We are going to see a lot more of all of them this preseason and everyone in that room still has the chance to earn more opportunities and the right to lead our team as the starter when the regular season begins."
Because of that, Kessler said he'll continue to compete — regardless of what decisions are made around him.
"It's just another opportunity," Kessler said. "The only way you can control things like that is how you play on the field. That is something that I always stuck with – control what you can control. Whenever I'm out there to make the most of those opportunities and do everything I can. Even in practice – practice, preseason and if you get opportunities in the season – you have to make the most of them."
