Robert Griffin III will close out Browns’ season as the starter

Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson named Robert Griffin III the starter for the team’s Week 17 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Browns finally got their first win of the season last week against the San Diego Chargers, but it came at the cost of Griffin, who left the game with a concussion toward the end of Saturday’s action.

Cody Kessler filled in at the end of the game, attempting just three passes. At one point, it almost appeared as though Griffin’s concussion could’ve given the rookie another opportunity to start. But Griffin cleared concussion protocol and returned to practice on Thursday. Head coach Hue Jackson said afterward that barring any setbacks, Griffin would start his fourth straight game.

The veteran had 17 of 25 passes against the Chargers, passing for 164 yards. He also added 42 yards rushing on six carries. Griffin endured a beating against the Chargers, taking seven sacks before leaving with the concussion.

The quarterback showed some of the relentlessness Jackson had been looking for in initially signing Griffin, but the coach indicated there’s still progress to be made in his postgame press conference:

“[Griffin] made some plays. He made some plays with his legs, made some plays with his arm. He has to continue to grow that way. In the second half, we got slowed down a little bit, and I think he can still do some things better, but he did show me some things today. He has to keep working. We all have to keep working.”

With a hectic Browns quarterback carousel — in addition to the two QBs mentioned, the team has started Josh McCown and seen guys like Charlie Whitehurst and Kevin Hogan attempt at least 20 passes in relief — it will be good for Jackson to see some more of Griffin this week before the team heads into the offseason with a decision to make about the future of the position.

Griffin already has the support of one teammate. Longtime Browns left tackle Joe Thomas said Griffin has “shown enough” in his four games so far this year to be the starter again next year.

The Browns travel to Pittsburgh on Sunday for their final game of the season. The Steelers, who have already clinched the AFC North, are expected to rest several starters, including Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell.