The Patriots are releasing Kessler on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The Patriots are left with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer as the only quarterbacks on their roster, setting the state for an addition via free agency or the draft. Kessler was brutal in his stints with the Browns and Jaguars, and he hasn't appeared in a game since 2018. He served as the No. 3 quarterback in New England for part of last season.
Apr 1, 2020 12:45 PM EST
Kessler was waived by the Patriots on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Kessler signed with the Pats in the latter stages of September to provide additional quarterback depth, but the team now feels good enough to roll with just Tom Brady and Jarrett Stidham. Kessler signed with the Eagles in May shortly after being let go by the Jaguars, but he didn't make the team's initial 53-man roster.
Oct 15, 2019 4:08 PM EST
Kessler signed with the Patriots on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Tom Brady or his backup Jarrett Stidham aren't dealing with any apparent injuries, so it's unclear why the Patriots brought Kessler aboard. There's no reason to question the method to Bill Belichick's madness, however, as Kessler is a decent backup. He has played in 17 career games between the Browns and Jaguars, completing 64.1 percent of his passes for 2,215 yards (6.3 YPA), eight touchdowns and five interceptions.
Sep 25, 2019 10:34 AM EST
The Patriots will sign Kessler, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: He'll give the Patriots some added QB depth behind Tom Brady, joining rookie Jarrett Stidham in the team's backup mix. Per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, having another QB around could come in handy if Brady -- who was limited in practice last Wednesday and Thursday before working fully Friday -- takes any days off in the coming weeks.
Sep 25, 2019 8:31 AM EST
Philadelphia waived Kessler on Friday, Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Kessler got the start in Philadelphia's third preseason matchup over Josh McCown, but was ultimately outplayed by the veteran, who threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns compared to Kessler's 34 yards. It appears that the Eagles have elected to go with McCown, Nate Sudfeld (wrist) and Clayton Thorson -- barring his release prior to the Saturday deadline -- to back up Carson Wentz this season.
Aug 30, 2019 4:15 PM EST
Kessler completed three of five passes for 34 yards and rushed once for no gain in Thursday's 26-15 preseason loss to the Ravens.
Analysis: Kessler got the start with Carson Wentz taking the night off, but he was significantly outplayed by veteran Josh McCown, who threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns after taking over for Kessler late in the first quarter. The 26-year-old quarterback seems destined for the No. 3 role behind Wentz and McCown. The game was canceled early in the fourth quarter due to lightning, so at least rookie fifth-rounder Clayton Thorson didn't get a chance to try to leapfrog Kessler on the depth chart.
Aug 22, 2019 9:04 PM EST
Kessler is in line to start under center for Thursday's preseason game against the Ravens, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Kessler is eyeing a 53-man roster spot as a backup quarterback and will be the first man up to state his case Thursday. Josh McCown and Clayton Thorson may also see action in the contest as they look to make their own marks.
Aug 22, 2019 3:31 PM EST
Kessler (concussion) cleared the concussion protocol and can return to practice, Mike Kaye of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Kessler was removed from Thursday's preseason contest after suffering the concussion during the first drive of the game, but he was able to clear the protocol relatively quickly. The 26-year-old was working as the top backup to starter Carson Wentz after Nate Sudfeld broke his wrist, but the Eagles convinced veteran Josh McCown to end his retirement over the weekend to provide more stability to the QB room.
Aug 19, 2019 12:10 PM EST
Coach Doug Peterson said Sunday that Kessler remains in the concussion protocol, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Kessler was forced to leave Thursday's game against the Jaguars due to a head injury, and still seems to be feeling the effects. Considering he's still in the protocol, is cause that the injury is more on the serious side. With fellow backup Nate Sudfeld dealing with a broken wrist, Clayton Thorson is the only healthy quarterback on the depth chart behind Carson Wentz.
Aug 18, 2019 8:38 AM EST
Kessler was placed in the concussion protocol after leaving Thursday's preseason game versus the Jaguars.
Analysis: Kessler made the start in place of Carson Wentz but was unable to complete the Eagles' first drive after suffering the concussion. Wentz isn't expected to see preseason action and top backup Nate Sudfeld is out with a broken wrist, leaving Clayton Thorson as the only game-ready quarterback in Philadelphia. The team is likely to sign another signal caller in the coming days out of necessity.
Aug 16, 2019 6:54 AM EST
Kessler was removed from Thursday's preseason contest against Jacksonville to be evaluated for a head injury.
Analysis: Kessler was originally starting in the place of Carson Wentz. If Philadelphia's medical staff finds something to rule the 26-year-old out, it'll leave Clayton Thorson as the only healthy quarterback behind Wentz.
Aug 15, 2019 4:42 PM EST
Kessler was removed from Thursday's preseason contest at Jacksonville to be evaluated for an undisclosed injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Starting in place of Carson Wentz, Kessler took a massive hit from pass rusher Datone Jones, yet he stayed in the game for one play before he was sent to the sidelines. If Kessler is ruled out, he'll join regular backup Nate Sudfeld (wrist) as unavailable Eagles quarterbacks. The only other QB on the roster is Clayton Thorson.
Aug 15, 2019 4:24 PM EST
Kessler will step in as the backup to Carson Wentz with Nate Sudfeld (wrist) out six weeks, Paul Domowitch of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: It's possible that the Eagles opt to add another quarterback to the roster, but Kessler is the current favorite to operate as the team's No. 2 option until Sudfeld fully recovers. The former Brown and Jaguar completed just three of six passes for 12 yards in Thursday's preseason tilt against the Titans, and could face competition from rookie fifth-round pick Clayton Thorson.
Aug 9, 2019 11:47 AM EST
Kessler completed three of six passes for 12 yards in Thursday's preseason loss to the Titans.
Analysis: The former Brown and Jaguar made have seen his chances of making the final roster in Philly improve when Nate Sudfeld broke his wrist earlier in Thursday's contest, but Kessler's own performance did little to bolster his case. On the bright side, he did do slightly better than rookie fifth-round pick Clayton Thorson, and if Kessler continues to clear that low bar, he could open the season as Carson Wentz's backup while Sudfeld recovers.
Aug 8, 2019 10:16 PM EST
Kessler could be the odd-man-out once roster cuts roll around this September, Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice reports.
Analysis: Kessler currently sits at the bottom of the totem pole in Philadelphia, where he signed a one-year contract back in May. Behind Carson Wentz the Eagles have an established backup in Nate Sudfeld and rookie fifth-round pick Clayton Thorson. However, if Kessler can put together an impressive campaign during training camp there's no telling how many quarterbacks the Eagles would opt to keep on the 53-man roster -- especially given Wentz's injury history.
Jul 8, 2019 7:18 PM EST
Kessler is expected to sign with the Eagles on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Kessler will be one of five passers making up the Eagles' quarterback room. Although the USC product was released Thursday and spent all of two days as a free agent, Kessler is likely just serving as competition -- or simply a veteran presence -- for one of the backup roles in Philadelphia. Kessler's most recent action came last season when he started for Jacksonville from Week 13 to Week 17, logging 64 completions for just 553 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
May 12, 2019 9:59 AM EST
Kessler was released by the Jaguars on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Jacksonville sent a late-round draft pick to acquire Kessler from Cleveland last summer, but the USC product was arguably the worst quarterback in the league during his four starts over Blake Bortles from Week 13 to Week 17. While the 26-year-old, who's entering his fourth pro season, could still have a market for his services, no team is likely to bring him in to compete for a starting job.
May 9, 2019 9:33 AM EST
Kessler completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 709 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions over five games in 2018.
Analysis: Kessler took over at quarterback for the benched Blake Bortles and started four games, in which the Jaguars scored only two offensive touchdowns before Bortles reclaimed starting duties for the season finale. Kessler was acquired by Jacksonville from Cleveland last March and had no real competition for the backup quarterback job, which even at the time was a curious decision. Both Bortles and Kessler and under contract for 2019, but the Jaguars are unlikely to remain static at quarterback following the offensive disaster in 2018.
Jan 20, 2019 2:18 PM EST
Blake Bortles will replace Kessler as the 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 the average with Bortles under center. The team likely will focus on external QB options in the offseason, as it's evident neither Bortles nor Kessler is the long-term answer.
Dec 26, 2018 10:13 AM EST
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 before he returned and was pulled again for performance reasons. Expect coach Doug Marrone to provide clarity later Wednesday on whether it's Kessler or Bortles that receives the final starting assignment of 2018, though neither signal-caller appears to be a great candidate to enter 2019 atop the depth chart.
Dec 26, 2018 8:42 AM EST
News powered by