Browns head coach Hue Jackson has unwavering faith in his rookie quarterback, DeShone Kizer.

He’s stuck out his neck several times to push Kizer and his career forward. Some people may not believe that, pointing to Jackson twice yanking Kizer out of the game and saying that it showed a lack of confidence in the Toledo native. And in fact, those critics claim that Jackson is hurting Kizer’s confidence by doing that.

That’s crazy. Jackson has done that – removing him — for Kizer’s benefit. To let him stay in the game and make one ill-conceived pass after another would be the worst thing he could do for Kizer’s metal state. Jackson has merely pulled Kizer aside and let him stand on the sideline and watch the game from another angle and perspective so as to give him a chance to learn and see the error of his ways.

This quarterback “battle” has never been a true battle at all because the three other quarterbacks who have supposedly been involved in it this year — Cody Kessler, Kevin Hogan and Brock Osweiler — were never really serious contenders for the job. It was never about them in any way, shape or form. From the get-go, it was, instead, always about Kizer and trying to do everything possible to see if he was indeed the franchise passer for whom the Browns have looked for nearly 20 years.

He’s the only guy who has the resume, especially with his size and arm strength, to have a chance at greatness. The other guys are … well, just guys.

Now it’s Kizer’s turn – his responsibility to validate Jackson’s faith by playing well – or at least better – beginning with Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings in London.

It’s on national TV against a good team, and it’s on international soil. No one thinks the 0-7 Browns and their struggling rookie quarterback have a chance.

What better scenario for DeShone Kizer to make a bold and unmistakable statement that Hue Jackson was right all along.