Kessler completed 14 of 17 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's preseason loss to the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

Kessler looked quite good in relief of starter Blake Bortles as he is all but assured to be the Jaguars' No. 2 quarterback in 2018. Rookie sixth-round pick Tanner Lee remains the only other quarterback on the roster, which speaks volumes about the team's confidence in Bortles.

The Browns are trading Kessler to the Jaguars for a conditional late-round 2019 draft pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The trifling compensation suggests Kessler will need to compete for a backup job with his new team, even though Blake Bortles (wrist) is the only other quarterback on the current roster. Jacksonville could seek an upgrade in the later stages of free agency or the upcoming draft, as Kessler is a risky No. 2 quarterback for a team that likes its chances of returning to the playoffs. The 2016 third-round pick completed 65.6 percent of his passes for a respectable 7.1 yards per attempt as a rookie, but he lost each of his eight starts while throwing for only six touchdowns. Kessler then spent most of 2017 buried on the bench, ultimately attempting 23 passes without making a start.

The Browns likely will try to trade Kessler, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The team traded for Tyrod Taylor, signed Drew Stanton and is expected to take a quarterback within the first four picks of the upcoming draft. There won't be room for Kessler or Kevin Hogan on the final roster unless one of the other signal callers is injured. A 2016 third-round pick, Kessler lost all eight of his starts as a rookie, despite completing 65.6 percent of his passes for 7.1 yards per attempt with only two interceptions. Of course, he threw for just six touchdowns and the Browns averaged 15.8 points in his starts. Kessler only attempted 23 passes last season, splitting backup duties with Hogan throughout the year. A late-round pick is the most Cleveland can hope for.

Kessler made three appearances in 2017 and completed 11 of 23 passes for 121 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

EDGE Analysis

Though he showed flashes of competency behind center during the 2016 season, Kessler began this year as Cleveland's third-string quarterback behind DeShone Kizer and Kevin Hogan. His only extended period of playing came on Oct. 22 against the Titans after Kizer was benched to start the second half. The Browns are expected to add yet another quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft, and that could mean the end of Kessler's time in Cleveland. The 24-year-old improved his arm strength over the offseason last year, and even if he's cut loose by the Browns, another team might be willing to take a flier on the former USC product.

Kessler was on the field for seven plays in replace of DeShone Kizer (ribs) and completed 1 of 3 passes for five yards during Sunday's 38-24 loss to the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

When Kizer left the game with a rib injury, Kessler was called on to replace the rookie, though the former USC quarterback ultimately failed to move the ball as well as his teammate. He was sacked three times during his seven plays of action while completing just one pass. Kizer is confident he'll be able to suit up Sunday against Jacksonville, meaning Kessler will once again be destined for backup duties.

Kessler will remain the Browns' No. 2 quarterback for Sunday's game against the Vikings after head coach Hue Jackson named DeShone Kizer the team's Week 8 starter.

EDGE Analysis

Kessler made his first appearance of the season in Sunday's 12-9 overtime loss to the Titans, coming on in relief for Kizer in the third quarter and completing 10 of 19 passes for 121 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Though he was more productive than the struggling Kizer, who threw two more interceptions to bring his total to a league-high 13 on the season, Kessler's inability to engineer a touchdown drive likely prevented him from getting a look as the starter in Week 8. However, with Kizer's hold on the top gig on shaky ground after being replaced due to ineffectiveness midway through each of his last three starts, it wouldn't be surprising if Kessler was called upon again at some point Sunday. The Vikings defense is yielding just 283 yards per game for the season, good for the fourth-best mark in the NFL.

Kessler completed 10 of 19 passes for 121 yards with an interception during Sunday's 12-9 loss to the Titans.

EDGE Analysis

Kessler -- who was active for the first time in 2017 -- was called on to replace DeShone Kizer in the third quarter of Sunday's matchup. Kessler is Cleveland's third quarterback to throw a pass this season, as the struggling Kizer has already been benched twice. The second-year signal caller out of USC was able to move the offense more efficiently than Kizer, connecting with tight end David Njoku on two long completions, though he was unable to lead his offense to a touchdown and sailed a throw to the rookie tight end that was intercepted late in the game. It still remains to be seen whom the Browns' quarterback will be versus the Vikings in Week 8, but knowing coach Hue Jackson's history with the position, don't be surprised if Kessler is under center going forward.

Kessler replaced DeShone Kizer at quarterback in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Titans, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

After a one-game benching, Kizer was reinstated as the starting quarterback this week when Kevin Hogan failed to ignite the offense in the Week 6 loss to the Texans. Despite the vote of confidence from the coaching staff, Kizer's season-long struggles continued prior to his departure Sunday, with the rookie completing 12 of 20 passes for 114 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions while leading the Browns to just three first-half points. It appears Kessler, who hadn't appeared in any of the Browns' first six games of the season, will now get a chance to stake a claim to the starting role with a strong finish to Sunday's game.

Kessler will serve as the Browns' No. 2 QB behind DeShone Kizer on Sunday against the Titans, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kevin Hogan, who is dealing with a rib injury, is now the team's No. 3 signal-caller. Kessler went 0-8 as a starter last season and was overtaken by Hogan in training camp, but Kessler is now a Kizer injury away from another shot at helming the Cleveland offense. With that in mind, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com notes that the 0-6 Browns will likely try to ride things out with Kizer for the rest of the season, rather than continue to shuffle the deck at QB position.

The Browns have promoted Kevin Hogan ahead of Kessler for the backup quarterback job, Mary Kat Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kessler was at one point considered the favorite to start Week 1, but he now figures to be inactive. The Browns will allow DeShone Kizer to work through any struggles this season.