Coach Hue Jackson and the Browns aren't yet sure of who will start at quarterback against Dallas this weekend. But they are confident, however, that whatever decision made will be best thing for the team.
Both Josh McCown and Cody Kessler made as much clear Wednesday afternoon, saying they're comfortable with however things ultimately shake out.
"We'll go through the week and let coach make those decisions. We will both prepare and get ourselves ready to go," McCown said, "and then whatever he deems the best for our team, we will get behind that and go."
Indeed, Jackson made it clear he'll carefully evaluate both signal-callers before coming to a consensus before Sunday.
"I think guys need to practice," Jackson said, adding the team will make the decision when they feel comfortable. "I'm in no rush to make a decision there, but we will make it when we need to."
For a Browns team in search of their first win of the season, the dynamic of having McCown and Kessler healthy at the same time is a welcomed one after an array of injuries forced Cleveland to play six quarterbacks in seven weeks.
Against that backdrop, the pair — who have combined to start the past seven games — gives the Browns stability at the position going forward. They also played down the notion of there being any difficulty in being part of such a decision that will send one of them to the sideline.
"It's not difficult at all because we both want to play and we both want to do what is best for the team and we both want to help each other play the type of football that is necessary for this team to win games," McCown said.
"I have said it before, but especially when you are 0-8, you are all for whatever it takes to get us a win."
Kessler, who was cleared from the league's concussion protocol earlier this week, echoed a similar sentiment.
"I just continue to prepare this week and get back into it. Coach Jackson is looking at me saying, 'Hey, just get back into it and get comfortable.' My process right now is just the same thing I have been doing all week," he said.
"If that is what it is, then I will be ready to go. If not, I will continue to support Josh and stay in tune, even back when it was the first couple weeks of the season, just continuing to prepare for whatever happens Sunday."
Kessler, who started five straight games before suffering a concussion against the Bengals in Week 7, has shown poise and promise in that stretch, completing 67 percent of his passes for 947 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
McCown, who made his first appearance since a shoulder/collarbone injury against the Ravens in Week 2, provides the Browns with a proven veteran presence and has thrown for 601 yards, four touchdowns and four picks in two games.
Whatever the decision is, McCown said, will be "best for our team."
"We will line up and do that," he said.
