Loses starting gig

Blake Bortles will replace Kessler as the Jaguars' starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Texans.

Analysis: Despite throwing just two interceptions on 131 pass attempts, Kessler has arguably been the worst quarterback in the league this season, producing 5.4 yards per attempt while taking 22 sacks and losing three fumbles. The Jaguars scored 45 points in his four starts, dropping off by 6.7 points per game from their average with Bortles under center. The team likely will focus on external options in the offseason, as it's evident neither Bortles nor Kessler is the long-term answer at the position.

Looking like backup in Week 17

Multiple Jaguars players suggested Wednesday that Blake Bortles rather than Kessler would likely serve as the team's starting quarterback Week 17 against the Texans, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports.

Analysis: After Bortles floundered through the first 11 games of the season, Kessler was handed the No. 1 gig beginning in Week 13 but hasn't provided much of a lift to the Jacksonville offense. Though he's only tossed one interception over his four starts, Kessler has struggled to move the chains, completing just 63.4 of his throws for a lowly 5.5 yards per attempt. A shoulder injury contributed to Kessler's demise in the Week 16 win over the Dolphins, resulting in his brief removal from the contest…read more

Benched in mistake-prone game

Kessler completed 12 of 17 passes for 106 yards during Sunday's 17-7 win over the Dolphins. He also rushed once for two yards and lost one fumble.

Analysis: Kessler briefly left the field in the second quarter after suffering a shoulder contusion, but he was able to return for the start of the second half. Despite managing to retake the field, Kessler was then quickly benched for Blake Bortles due to continued sloppy play. The 25-year-old's most egregious mistake of the day came during the first half, when he simply lost hold of the football without a defender anywhere near him, resulting in a turnover. However, repeatedly missing open receivers…read more

Returns for second half

Kessler will start the second half of Sunday's game against the Dolphins after exiting with a right shoulder contusion late in the second quarter, John Reid of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Analysis: Kessler got hurt after being driven hard into the ground by Dolphins pass rusher Robert Quinn. Blake Bortles replaced him for two plays, but Kessler appears set to return to the contest and play through the shoulder issue.

More yards rushing than passing

Kessler completed nine of 17 passes for 57 yards and an interception while adding 68 yards on six carries and losing a fumble in Sunday's 16-13 loss to Washington.

Analysis: Kessler's performance was reminiscent of the ones we saw from the man he replaced under center earlier this season, as he was surprisingly effective on the ground while struggling as a passer and battling turnover issues. His interception with 2:41 remaining proved especially costly, as it helped set up Washington's game-winning field goal on the ensuing drive. It remains to be seen whether this performance was bad enough to make Jacksonville turn back to Blake Bortles against the Dolphins in…read more

Still the starter

Coach Doug Marrone said he isn't thinking about benching Kessler for Blake Bortles ahead of the Jaguars' Week 15 matchup with the Redskins, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The Jaguars have scored just 15 points in Kessler's two starts, hamstrung by his inability to make accurate throws downfield. Of course, Bortles was a disaster in his own right for most of the season, and Kessler didn't receive much help from his teammates during Thursday's 30-9 to Tennessee. It is possible Marrone re-evaluates the situation if things don't improve after the Week 15 contest.

Competent stat line in loss

Kessler completed 25 of 43 passes for 240 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in the Jaguars' 30-9 loss to the Titans on Thursday. He also rushed five times for 17 yards and lost a fumble.

Analysis: Kessler committed the first turnover of his two-game starting tenure when he fumbled after a sack on the Titans' 35-yard line with 5:50 remaining in the third quarter. Otherwise, he turned in a serviceable enough stat line, but he couldn't come anywhere close to making up for the deficiencies of a surprisingly vulnerable defense. The third-year signal-caller did improve several of his numbers from his Week 13 effort against the Colts, and he showed particularly strong chemistry with Dede…read more

Mistake-free in Week 13 win

Kessler completed 18 of 24 passes for 150 yards without a touchdown or interception and rushed five times for 28 yards in Sunday's 6-0 win over the Colts.

Analysis: Kessler avoided any major mistakes and did just enough to win in a game that saw neither team find the end zone. He left to get checked for a concussion at one point, but got the all-clear to return. While the defense is largely responsible for this win, Kessler likely did enough to maintain Jacksonville's starting quarterback job for Thursday's Week 14 clash with the Titans over benched alternative Blake Bortles.

Replacing Bortles as starter

Kessler will replace Blake Bortles as the Jaguars' starting quarterback for Week 13 against the Colts, John Oehser of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: The Jaguars will blow things up after a seventh consecutive loss, benching their long-time starter at quarterback and firing offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. It isn't clear the changes represent any kind of upgrade, as Hackett played a big role in the team's success last season, while Kessler hasn't started a game since 2016, when he went 0-8 with the Browns. The 2016 third-round pick's lone appearance with Jacksonville came in place of a struggling Bortles in the second half of a 20-7…read more

Not starting but getting some first-team reps

Kessler will get reps with the first-team offense in practice this week, but the Jaguars will stick with Blake Bortles as their starter for Sunday's game against the Eagles in London, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Kessler failed to impress after replacing Bortles in the third quarter of Sunday's 20-7 loss to the Texans, completing 21 of 30 passes for 156 yards with a touchdown, an interception and four sacks. The Jaguars aren't quite ready to make a change, but there's real risk of another in-game substitution if Bortles struggles during the London game. The team may also reassess the situation during a Week 9 bye.

Tosses touchdown in relief

Kessler completed 21 of 30 passes for 156 yards, a touchdown and an interception while adding eight yards on two carries in Sunday's 20-7 loss to the Texans.

Analysis: Kessler inherited a 20-0 deficit in the third quarter after replacing an ineffective Blake Bortles. He was able to get a touchdown back with a six-yard pass to T.J. Yeldon on a play that was reversed after originally being ruled an illegal forward pass. Unfortunately for Kessler, he was later picked off on a pass that bounced off Yeldon's hands. Despite outplaying Bortles here, Kessler will likely be back in a backup role when the Jaguars travel to London to face the Eagles in Week 8.

Solid effort in Jags preseason debut

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

Analysis: Kessler looked quite good in relief of starter Blake Bortles, and he is all but assured of serving as 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 agreed Wednesday to trade Kessler to the Jaguars in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2019, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: The light 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 currently on the roster. Jacksonville could seek an upgrade in the latter 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,…read more

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

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…read more

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

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…read more