Packers: DeShone Kizer deserves another opportunity as backup QB

A second-round pick by the Cleveland Browns two years ago, DeShone Kizer hasn’t made the start to the NFL he would’ve hoped for. But in his defense, he’s hardly been put in a position to succeed.

As Owen Riese of Bucky’s 5th Quarter pointed out on Twitter, Matt LaFleur is Kizer‘s third head coach in as many years, and he’s also had three different offensive coordinators. And let’s not forget that the Browns traded him to the Packers after just one season. He’s had no kind of continuity in his short NFL career.

Kizer played 15 games as a rookie with the Cleveland Browns — he threw 11 touchdowns with 22 interceptions as the Browns went 0-16 in the regular season. Kizer’s play didn’t help the Browns win any games, but he also wasn’t given much help. I’d be interested to see how many games he’d win on the 2019 Cleveland Browns.

Last year wasn’t much different. Kizer only featured twice for the Packers, both coming off the bench to replace an injured Aaron Rodgers.

The first game was the season opener against a Chicago Bears defense that would go on to lead the NFL by allowing a league-low 17.7 points per game.

Kizer’s first three passes were completions of 29, 11 and two yards. He found each of the Packers’ top three receivers — Randall Cobb, Davante Adams then Geronimo Allison — turning a third-and-six from the 50-yard line into first-and-goal in no time at all. But on third-and-goal, Kizer was sacked by Khalil Mack and fumbled. Considering Mack is an all-world talent and one of the most dominant pass rushers in football, I’m not willing to place too much blame on Kizer here.

Chicago’s defense dominated for the remainder of the first half. On third-and-19 from the Packers’ 30-yard line, Kizer was immediately pressured by Bears linebacker Roy Robertson-Harris. Kizer just tried to get rid of the football, but it landed right in the arms of Mack who ran it back for a touchdown. Kizer made a costly error, but his protection was nonexistent.

Thrown in at the deep end against a red-hot Bears defense, Kizer had no chance. And it’s not like Rodgers had been doing much better. Prior to his incredible second-half comeback, the Packers offense had no answer for the Bears, punting on their opening four drives before Kizer entered the game.

Kizer’s next regular season action didn’t come until the season finale at home to the Detroit Lions. Again, he entered the game early due to an injury to Rodgers. Kizer completed just 45.7 of his passes for 132 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. The Lions embarrassed the Packers, 31-0, at Lambeau Field.

But again, Kizer was put in a tough spot. He hadn’t played in 16 weeks and the Packers were without multiple starters on offense. Davante Adams and Geronimo Allison didn’t play, leaving inexperienced receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jake Kumerow as the two starters.

All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari exited the game with a hip injury, which meant Alex Light had to play 41 percent of the offensive snaps, according to Pro Football Reference.

Injuries are part of the game, but it was another difficult situation for Kizer to enter from the bench.

His performances at either end of the regular season weren’t overly encouraging, but Kizer does deserve an opportunity to remain the backup quarterback under LaFleur. He is a young quarterback, a former high draft pick, and needs some stability and continuity to develop as the No. 2 in Green Bay.

Kizer will be a player to watch at training camp and in preseason later this summer.