DeShone

Kizer

Tennessee wasted no time clearing up their QB room, as they cut Kizer immediately after adding Matt Barkley to the roster. The 24-year-old’s last game appearance came in 2018, but he was reportedly challenging Logan Woodside for the Titans’ QB2 job before this news. He’ll now be on the hunt for a new home, while Barkley and Woodside will duke it out for backup duties behind Ryan Tannehill.

Davenport hinted Kizer has the edge on QB Logan Woodside because his “skill set is very similar to Ryan Tannehill’s in that he can make most of the throws and is adept at making plays on the move.” Kizer, who served as Tennessee’s “quarantine QB” in 2020, has 11 touchdowns and 22 interceptions since entering the league with Cleveland in 2017. He comes with some rushing upside; in 2017, he rushed 77 times for 419 yards and five scores in 15 games for the Browns. Kizer, of course, would be a disaster for Titans pass catchers if Tannehill were to miss time in 2021.

Kizer replaces Trevor Siemian, who was signed to the Saints’ active roster. The 24-year-old will serve as the No. 3 quarterback behind Ryan Tannehill and Logan Woodside.

Claimed off waivers following final cuts last summer, Kizer’s Vegas fate was sealed after the Raiders signed Marcus Mariota. Teacher’s pet Nathan Peterman will remain behind as a camp arm. Although Kizer is still only 24, he has yet to put anything good on film since entering the league as the No. 52 overall pick of the 2017 draft. He could have trouble finding backup work for 2020.

The Raiders will now decide which two quarterbacks out of Kizer, Nathan Peterman, and Matt Glennon to keep. There probably isn’t a right answer, and it won’t matter as long as Derek Carr stays healthy. Kizer will likely bounce from team to team for the rest of his career.

Earlier this offseason, Kizer said, “I don’t see myself as Aaron Rodgers’ backup for the final era of his career. I see myself as a future Super Bowl MVP.” Getting waived one year after being traded doesn’t exactly put Kizer on a Super Bowl MVP path, but he will likely get one more shot at sticking as a backup. Kizer has 11 career passing touchdowns and 24 interceptions.

Having goals is a great thing. Having confidence is also a great thing. But Kizer’s short-term goal should be to absorb as much of Aaron Rodger’s knowledge as possible before trying to compete for a starting job elsewhere. That, of course, is no guarantee. Through two seasons, Kizer has thrown 11 touchdowns to 24 interceptions. A big 2019 preseason would go a long way for Kizer to reach his goals, but Kizer is a career backup until further notice.

The Cardinals were lucky to get back Carson Palmer for one more year after a battered-and-bruised 2016 season. “You’re not a GM for long if you don’t find (a quarterback),” said Keim. “I have to do a better job, with my staff and the coaching staff, we have to identify the right guy and put this organization in position to have success for years to come.” Big with a cannon arm, Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer profiles as a signal caller that would fit coach Bruce Arians’ vertical passing game. The Cardinals are a sneaky bet to draft a quarterback at No. 13 overall.

The 49ers are also reportedly high on Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and North Carolina’s Mitchell Trubisky. Kizer’s draft stock is rising after a shaky junior season and could potentially go as high as No. 2 overall. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock rated Kizer as his No. 1 quarterback prospect.

It is not a surprise considering Eli Manning’s age (36) and level of play last season. The Giants may not be in the market for one of the top quarterbacks at No. 23 overall, but it will not be surprising if they invest a Day-2 pick on a “quarterback of the future.” Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer or Pitt’s Nathan Peterman could fit the bill if they fall.