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DeShone Kizer
DeShone Kizer
DeShone Kizer
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DeShone Allen Kizer (/ˈkaɪzər/; born January 3, 1996) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. Kizer served as the Browns' starter during his rookie season, but his tenure lasted only one year after going winless and leading the league in interceptions. Kizer spent his last three seasons as a backup for the Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Tennessee Titans.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Kizer attended Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Ohio.[1] He was named the Associated Press Ohio Division III co-offensive player of the year as a senior in 2013.[2] A three-year starter, Kizer helped lead the Fighting Irish high school football team to a combined 34–6 overall record in 2011–13 (8–2 in playoff games), including a 14–1 record and Ohio Division II state title in 2012.[3]

In his career, Kizer's totals included 5,684 passing yards and 56 touchdowns to go with 1,211 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.[4]

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Kizer was rated as the ninth best dual-threat quarterback prospect of his class.[5] On June 11, 2013, Kizer announced his commitment to play college football at the University of Notre Dame for the Fighting Irish.[6]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
DeShone Kizer
Dual-Threat QB 		Toledo, OH Central Catholic HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 233 lb (106 kg) Jun 11, 2013 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 4/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   (80)
Overall recruit ranking:   Scout: 17 (QB), 2 (regional), 1 (OH), 263 (national)    Rivals: 9 (QB)    ESPN: 16 (QB), 12 (OH)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Notre Dame Football Commitment List". Rivals. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  • "Notre Dame College Football Recruiting Commits". Scout. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  • "ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 27, 2015.

College career

[edit]

Kizer redshirted his first year at Notre Dame in 2014 behind quarterbacks Everett Golson and Malik Zaire.[7]

Kizer started 2015 as a backup to Zaire. On September 5, during the season opener, Kizer made his collegiate debut against Texas in relief of Zaire in the 38–3 victory.[8] During the second game of the season against Virginia, Kizer replaced an injured Zaire and helped lead Notre Dame to a victory. With 12 seconds left, Kizer completed a 39-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Will Fuller to give Notre Dame the lead.[9] After it was announced that Zaire would miss the rest of the season, Kizer was named the starter. On October 3, in a narrow 24–22 loss to Clemson, he passed for a season-high 321 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception while having 15 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown.[10] On Halloween, in a 24–20 victory over Temple, Kizer recorded 299 passing yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions, and had a stellar night on the ground, rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns.[11] In the next game against Pitt, Kizer accounted for all six touchdowns (five passing and one rushing) helping Notre Dame to a 42–30 victory.[12]

Kizer and the Fighting Irish finished the 2015 regular season with a 10–2 record.[13] On New Year's Day, the Fighting Irish closed out their 2015 season with a 44–28 loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. In the loss, Kizer had 284 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception to go along with 21 rushing yards and a touchdown.[14] Overall, Kizer finished his redshirt first year with 2,880 passing yards, 525 rushing yards, and 31 total touchdowns in 13 games.[15]

Kizer started the 2016 season with 215 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, 77 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown in a double overtime 50–47 loss to Texas at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.[16] After a victory over Nevada, he had 344 passing yards and two touchdowns to go along with 14 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 36–28 loss to Michigan State.[17][18] After a loss to Duke, Kizer had a career day through the air with 471 yards and three touchdowns in a 50–33 victory over Syracuse.[19] He put together some solid performances over the rest of the season, but the team faltered and ended up with a 4–8 record.[20] Kizer played 12 games with 2,925 passing yards, 472 rushing yards, and 34 total touchdowns.[21]

After the 2016 season, Kizer decided to forgo the remaining two years of eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL draft.[22]

College statistics

[edit]
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Season Games Passing Rushing Fumbles
GP GS Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg Lng TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2014 0 0 Redshirt
2015 13 11 210 334 62.9 2,880 8.6 81 21 10 150.1 135 525 3.9 79 10 5 2
2016 12 12 212 361 58.7 2,925 8.1 79 26 9 145.6 129 472 3.7 70 8 0 0
Total 25 23 422 695 60.7 5,805 8.4 81 47 19 147.7 264 997 3.8 79 18 5 2

Professional career

[edit]

Pre-draft

[edit]

Kizer received an invitation to the NFL Combine and completed all of the combine drills except for the bench press. He also performed positional drills, but had a disappointing performance. Kizer also participated at Notre Dame's Pro Day and only ran positional drills in front of team scouts and representatives, including San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Kizer completed 50-of-60 passes and showed significantly better accuracy and footwork at his pro day.[23] NFL draft experts and analysts projected Kizer to be a first or second round pick.[24] He was ranked the second best quarterback in the draft by NFL analyst Bucky Brooks, the third best quarterback by NFLDraftScout.com and Sports Illustrated, and was ranked the fourth best quarterback by NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock.[25][26][27][28]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Wonderlic
6 ft 4+1⁄4 in
(1.94 m)		 233 lb
(106 kg)		 33+1⁄8 in
(0.84 m)		 9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)		 4.83 s 1.72 s 2.84 s 4.53 s 7.40 s 30+1⁄2 in
(0.77 m)		 8 ft 11 in
(2.72 m)		 28[29]
All values from NFL Combine[24][23]

Cleveland Browns

[edit]
Kizer in 2017

The Cleveland Browns selected Kizer in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.[30] He was the fourth quarterback selected and first taken in the second round.[31]

On June 14, 2017, the Browns signed Kizer to a four-year, $4.94 million contract that includes $2.42 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.73 million.[32][33] On August 27, following the team's third preseason game, the Browns named Kizer as the starting quarterback to begin the regular season, beating out veteran trade acquisition Brock Osweiler and second-year quarterbacks Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan.[34]

Making his NFL debut on September 10, 2017, Kizer finished with 222 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception to go along with 17 rushing yards and a one-yard touchdown, but the Browns lost by a score 21–18 at home to the Steelers.[35] He orchestrated a 12-play drive that ended after scoring on a one-yard touchdown run.[35] Kizer's first career passing touchdown was a three-yard pass to wide receiver Corey Coleman in the fourth quarter.[36][37] Kizer started the next four games for the Browns, which were all losses. During a Week 5 17–14 loss to the New York Jets, Kizer was benched in favor of Kevin Hogan to begin the third quarter after throwing for 87 yards and an interception in the first half.[38] Hogan was later named the starter for the team's Week 6 matchup against the Houston Texans.[39] After Hogan's struggles in Week 6, Kizer was renamed the starter for the Week 7.[40]

During a Week 7 12–9 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans, Kizer threw for 114 yards and two interceptions before being benched in favor of Cody Kessler in the third quarter.[41][42] Following the game, reports surfaced that Kizer was out late the Friday before the game, which caused some controversy.[43] During a Week 14 27–21 overtime loss the Green Bay Packers, Kizer threw for 214 yards and a season-high three touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions, including one in overtime that gave the Packers excellent field position.[44] In the regular-season finale against the Steelers, Kizer finished with a season-high 314 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception during the 28–24 road loss.[45] The Browns finished the season with an 0–16 record, only the second team in NFL history to have that record.[46][47]

In 15 games and starts of his rookie season, Kizer completed 53.6 percent of his passes for 2,894 yards, 11 touchdowns, and a league-leading 22 interceptions to go along with 77 carries for 419 yards and five touchdowns.[48][49]

Green Bay Packers

[edit]

On March 14, 2018, Kizer was traded to the Packers in exchange for Damarious Randall and a swap of both fourth and fifth-round draft picks.[50]

During the season-opener against the Chicago Bears, Kizer played in place of an injured Aaron Rodgers in the first and second quarters, throwing for 55 yards and an interception, which was returned for a touchdown, while also losing a fumble after being strip-sacked. Rodgers returned in the third quarter and led the Packers to a narrow 24–23 comeback victory.[51] In the regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions, Kizer played in relief of Rodgers, who had suffered a concussion, and threw for 132 yards and an interception as the Packers were shut-out by a score of 31–0.[52][53]

On August 31, 2019, Kizer was released as part of the final roster cuts.[54]

Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders

[edit]

On September 1, 2019, Kizer was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Raiders.[55]

On May 5, 2020, Kizer was waived by the relocated Las Vegas Raiders.[56] He was re-signed to the practice squad on September 7,[57] and was released on September 30.[58]

Tennessee Titans

[edit]

On November 24, 2020, Kizer was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.[59] He was signed to a futures contract on January 11, 2021.[60]

Kizer entered the 2021 offseason as the third-string quarterback competing with backup Logan Woodside for the No. 2 spot behind starter Ryan Tannehill.[61] Kizer was released on August 5, 2021, after the Titans signed quarterback Matt Barkley.[62] Kizer was re-signed to the practice squad on November 26,[63] but was released three days later.[64]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Passing Rushing Fumbles
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rate Att Yds Avg TD Fum Lost
2017 CLE 15 15 0–15 255 476 53.6 2,894 6.1 11 22 60.5 77 419 5.4 5 9 6
2018 GB 3 0 – 20 42 47.6 187 4.5 0 2 40.5 5 39 7.8 0 1 1
2019 OAK 0 0 – DNP
2020 LV 0 0 –
TEN 0 0 –
Career 18 15 0–15 275 518 53.1 3,081 5.9 11 24 58.9 82 458 5.6 5 10 7

Personal life

[edit]

Kizer's father, Derek, played basketball at Bowling Green from 1987 to 1991.[65][66]

Kizer is the founder of One of None, an online marketplace that uses non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to authenticate its products. He is also a member of ON_Discourse, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) that discusses technology and business.[67]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

DeShone Kizer

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
DeShone Kizer (born January 3, 1996) is a former . Kizer was born and raised in , the son of Kizer, a former player at , and Mindy Kizer. He attended Toledo Central Catholic High School, where he excelled as a , passing for 5,684 yards and 56 touchdowns while rushing for 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns over his career, totaling 83 touchdowns and earning All-Ohio honors as a senior. At the University of Notre Dame, Kizer enrolled in 2014 and redshirted his freshman year before taking over as the starting quarterback midway through the 2015 season following an injury to Everett Golson. Over two seasons as the full-time starter (2015–2016), he appeared in 25 games, completing 418 of 717 passes for 5,805 yards and 47 touchdowns with 19 interceptions, while adding 520 rushing yards and a school-record 10 rushing touchdowns for a Notre Dame quarterback. His college tenure included leading the Fighting Irish to multiple fourth-quarter comebacks, though the team finished 4–8 in 2016, prompting Kizer to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL Draft. Selected by the in the second round (52nd overall) of the , the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Kizer signed a four-year, $5.4 million contract and became the Browns' starter in Week 1, appearing in 15 games (14 starts) as a with 2,895 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, 22 interceptions, and 419 rushing yards. In March 2018, the Browns traded him to the for safety ; Kizer appeared in three games for Green Bay that season, completing 20 of 42 passes for 187 yards. Released by the Packers after the 2018 season, he joined the ' in 2019, remaining with them into 2020 before being signed to the ' in November 2020. Kizer spent parts of 2020 and 2021 with the Titans on their before being waived in November 2021, with no regular-season appearances after 2018. After leaving the , Kizer founded One of None, an NFT-based authentication platform for limited-edition products.

Early life and high school

Childhood and family background

DeShone Kizer was born on January 3, 1996, in . He is the second of four children in a family with a strong athletic heritage; his father, Derek Kizer, played college basketball at , while his mother, Mindy Kizer, excelled in during high school. Kizer's siblings include an older sister, Faith, a younger sister, Maelyn, and a younger brother, Dayven. Growing up in Toledo, Kizer was immersed in sports from an early age in a household where athletics were a central focus. His father often coached him, fostering a competitive environment that emphasized discipline and teamwork. Kizer's initial passion was , which he began playing in under his father's guidance, aspiring to follow in Derek's footsteps as a . He participated in AAU teams alongside future college standouts, showing significant promise in the sport before shifting his primary focus to football in . This early involvement in multiple sports helped develop his athletic versatility and hand-eye coordination, shaping his path toward becoming a .

High school career

DeShone Kizer attended Central Catholic High School in , where he played for the Fighting Irish football team as a three-year starter from 2011 to 2013. During his high school career, he helped lead the team to a 34–6 overall record, including three consecutive playoff appearances and winning the Division II state championship as a junior in 2012. Kizer also participated in and , showcasing his athletic versatility, but football became his primary focus as a highly touted prospect. As a senior in 2013, Kizer demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities, completing 150 of 245 passes for 2,847 yards and 30 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He also rushed for 530 yards on 62 carries, scoring six rushing touchdowns, contributing to a total of 36 touchdowns in the season. His performance helped Central Catholic finish the regular season undefeated at 10–0 before advancing in the playoffs, solidifying his reputation as one of Ohio's top quarterback talents. Kizer earned significant accolades for his senior season, including co-offensive player of the year honors in Division III from the , as well as first-team all-state recognition as a . These awards highlighted his leadership and efficiency on the field, where he balanced precise passing with effective scrambling. In , Kizer was a four-star prospect who received offers from numerous top programs, including USC, , LSU, , and . On June 11, 2013, he verbally committed to Notre Dame, citing the program's academic prestige and football tradition as key factors in his decision over other elite suitors. He signed his with the Fighting Irish on in February 2014. In February 2025, Kizer was inducted into the Central Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame along with the 2012 state champion football team.

College career

2015 season

Kizer redshirted during his true freshman year in 2014 at Notre Dame, preserving a year of eligibility while learning the team's offensive system behind starter . Entering the 2015 season as a redshirt freshman, he began as the backup to junior , appearing in limited action during the season opener against . However, Zaire suffered a season-ending fractured ankle in the second game against on September 12, thrusting Kizer into the starting role for the remainder of the year; he started 11 of Notre Dame's 13 games, completing 211 of 335 passes for 2,884 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Kizer's adjustment to the starting position showcased his dual-threat capabilities, as he also rushed for 520 yards and 10 on 134 carries, ranking third on the team in rushing yards and second in rushing scores. His mobility was particularly evident in key moments, such as a 79-yard run against Temple on October 31 that helped secure a 24-20 victory, highlighting his ability to extend plays and contribute on the ground despite the team's injury challenges. In the regular-season finale against Stanford on November 28, Kizer threw for 226 yards and two while adding 32 rushing yards, though Notre Dame fell 38-36 in a high-scoring affair that ended their undefeated streak. One of Kizer's standout performances came against on November 7, where he accounted for six total touchdowns—five passing and one rushing—in a 42-30 win, throwing for 353 yards and demonstrating poise in a playoff-contending offense. Notre Dame finished the regular season 10-2, earning a berth in the against Ohio State on January 1, 2016; Kizer passed for 284 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in the 44-28 loss, closing out a season that established him as a promising despite the team's defensive injuries and a 56.7% completion rate.

2016 season

In 2016, DeShone Kizer served as the full-time starting quarterback for the during his junior season, appearing in all 12 games. He completed 212 of 361 passes for 2,925 yards, with 26 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, while also contributing 472 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns on 129 carries. The Fighting Irish finished the season with a 4-8 record, missing a for the first time since 2009 amid a challenging campaign marked by defensive struggles and injuries across the roster. Particularly impactful were injuries to key wide receivers, including and Jr., which limited the passing game's consistency and forced Kizer to adapt to a depleted supporting cast. Building on his experience from the injury-interrupted 2015 season, Kizer's dual-threat ability provided a bright spot for Notre Dame, earning him recognition on preseason watch lists for awards like the and Player of the Year. Following the season, Kizer announced his decision to forgo his senior year and declare for the on December 12, 2016.

College statistics

DeShone Kizer amassed 5,809 passing yards and 47 passing touchdowns with 19 interceptions over his two seasons as Notre Dame's primary starter, appearing in 25 games and starting 23. He also contributed significantly on the ground, rushing for 992 yards and 18 touchdowns on 263 carries, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.

Passing Statistics

YearGamesCompletionsAttemptsCompletion %YardsTDsINTs
20151321133563.02,8842110
20161221236158.72,925269
Career2542369660.85,8094719
Data compiled from Sports-Reference.com.

Rushing Statistics

YearGamesAttemptsYardsAvgTDs
2015131345203.910
2016121294723.78
Career252639923.818
Data compiled from Sports-Reference.com. Kizer's efficiency metrics highlighted his arm strength and mobility, with a career completion percentage of 60.8% and a of 147.7, ranking him among Notre Dame's more productive modern quarterbacks despite only two seasons of starting experience. Compared to historical Notre Dame signal-callers like (11,762 career passing yards) and (7,445 yards), Kizer's totals placed him ninth all-time in program passing yards, but his rushing prowess set benchmarks, including the single-season record for rushing touchdowns with 10 in 2015. Trends showed a slight dip in completion percentage from 2015 to 2016 amid increased passing volume, offset by more touchdowns and fewer interceptions, while his rushing output remained consistent, averaging nearly four yards per carry both years.

Professional career

2017 NFL draft and pre-draft process

Kizer entered the 2017 NFL Draft as one of the top quarterback prospects, projected as a potential first-round pick due to his physical tools and college performance at Notre Dame. He participated in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he measured 6 feet 4 inches tall and 233 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.83 seconds, and recorded a 30.5-inch vertical jump. Scouts praised his strong arm and ability to make throws from various angles during the throwing drills, though his overall athletic testing was considered average for the position. At Notre Dame's Pro Day on March 23, 2017, Kizer aimed to address concerns from his combine performance by completing 54 of 64 passes in workouts attended by representatives from multiple teams, including the and . He stood on his combine measurements and focused on demonstrating improved footwork and accuracy on rollouts and under-center throws, earning positive feedback from scouts for his arm strength and poise. During the pre-draft process, Kizer conducted formal interviews and workouts with several teams, including the , , , and 49ers, where his accountability for past mistakes and willingness to learn impressed evaluators. Scouting reports highlighted Kizer's praises for his prototypical size, mobility, and powerful arm, which allowed him to extend plays and deliver deep balls effectively, positioning him as a high-upside developmental prospect. However, criticisms centered on his inconsistent accuracy, poor decision-making leading to turnovers (19 interceptions in 25 college starts), and mechanical issues like erratic footwork that affected his timing. Some evaluators also noted personality concerns, with an anonymous AFC describing "diva qualities" that could impact his . Despite sliding out of the first round, selected Kizer in the second round with the 52nd overall pick on April 28, 2017, as the fourth taken in the draft. The team valued his physical attributes and pre-draft interactions, viewing him as a long-term option to address their need.

Cleveland Browns

Kizer signed a four-year rookie contract with the worth approximately $4.95 million, including a $1.74 million , shortly after being selected in the second round of the . Despite entering the league with high expectations as a potential franchise , Kizer was named the Week 1 starter by , beating out veterans and . In his rookie season, Kizer started all 15 games he appeared in, compiling 2,894 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and a league-leading 22 interceptions, resulting in a 60.5 passer rating. His struggles were evident early, as he threw four interceptions in his debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers and continued to battle accuracy issues and decision-making errors throughout the year. The Browns went 0-15 in games Kizer started, contributing to their winless 0-16 season—the second such record in NFL history. Kizer faced multiple benchings amid the team's quarterback carousel. After a 0-4 start with seven interceptions, he was demoted in favor of following a loss to the in Week 5, where he was pulled late in the game. He regained the starting role the next week but was benched again in the third quarter against the in Week 7 for after throwing two interceptions. Kizer was reinstated as the starter thereafter but could not turn around the offense, which ranked near the bottom of the league in scoring and efficiency. Following the season, the Browns traded Kizer to the on March 9, 2018, in exchange for cornerback and a swap of fourth-round draft picks, as part of their ongoing rebuild and ahead of selecting Baker Mayfield first overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. The move reflected the organization's dissatisfaction with Kizer's performance, marked by his high interception rate and inability to lead the team to a .

Green Bay Packers

On March 9, 2018, the acquired DeShone Kizer from the in a trade that sent to along with a swap of fourth- and fifth-round picks in the . Following a challenging rookie year as a starter with the Browns, where he appeared in 15 games, Kizer joined Green Bay as a backup to veteran . His role emphasized development in a more stable environment, with limited opportunities to play due to the team's established depth chart at quarterback, including Rodgers and Tim Boyle. During the 2018 regular season, Kizer saw action in three games, primarily in relief of the injured Rodgers. He completed 20 of 42 passes for 187 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions, while adding 39 rushing yards on seven carries. Notable appearances included Week 1 against the , where he entered late and completed 4 of 10 passes for 35 yards and an interception; Week 6 at the , with 8 of 15 for 77 yards and another interception; and Week 10 against the , going 8 of 17 for 75 yards. These limited snaps allowed Kizer to gain valuable experience, including direct mentorship from Rodgers on preparation and decision-making, though he remained third on the depth chart for most of the year. Kizer remained with the Packers into the 2019 preseason, competing for the backup role amid roster evaluations following Mike McCarthy's firing on December 2, 2018, and the subsequent coaching transition to Matt LaFleur. However, on August 31, 2019, the Packers released him as part of final cuts to reach the 53-man roster limit, paving the way for Boyle to back up Rodgers.

Las Vegas Raiders

Kizer was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Raiders from the Green Bay Packers on September 1, 2019, and subsequently made the team's 53-man roster as the third quarterback behind starter Derek Carr and backup Mike Glennon. During the 2019 season, Kizer focused on professional development under head coach , who praised his experience and potential upside as a young . In December 2019, he was promoted to the No. 2 role ahead of Glennon, providing him with additional preparation opportunities in practice and meetings. Kizer later described the season as a valuable period for reevaluating his skills and growth behind an established starter like Carr. He did not appear in any regular-season games during his time with the Raiders. Ahead of the 2020 offseason, Kizer was waived by the Raiders on May 5, , amid roster adjustments under Gruden's ongoing rebuilding efforts. The team, which relocated to for the 2020 season, prioritized Carr as the starter and acquired as backup, limiting opportunities for further development on the depth chart. Kizer was re-signed to the Raiders' on September 7, 2020, but was released on September 30 without any elevations to the active roster or game appearances.

Carolina Panthers

Following his release from the Raiders' , Kizer signed a with the in early 2020. However, he was waived by the during later that year.

Tennessee Titans

Kizer signed with the ' on November 21, 2020, following his release from the Las Vegas Raiders' earlier that year. During his initial stint, he did not appear in any games, positioned as the third-string behind starter and backup . On January 11, 2021, Kizer signed a reserve/future contract with the Titans, securing his spot on the roster heading into the offseason at the league's veteran minimum salary of $920,000 for the 2021 season. However, he was waived on August 5, 2021, after the team signed veteran quarterback to compete for the backup role. Kizer briefly returned to the Titans, re-signing to their on November 26, 2021, under another short-term deal, but was waived again just three days later on November 29. Since then, Kizer has remained with the Titans organization, primarily serving as a backup and member, with limited regular-season action and occasional emergency appearances. As of 2025, he continues as a depth for , contributing to the team's quarterback room amid ongoing development.

Career statistics

As of the end of the , DeShone Kizer's passing career spanned two seasons, primarily as a starter for the in 2017 before serving in limited backup roles with the in . Kizer did not appear in any regular-season games after , concluding his on-field playing career, though he remained in organizations in non-playing roles until around 2021. Over 18 regular-season games, he completed 275 of 518 passes for 3,081 yards, averaging 5.9 yards per attempt, with 11 touchdowns and 24 interceptions, resulting in a of 58.9. The following table summarizes Kizer's year-by-year passing statistics:
YearTeamGamesCompletions/AttemptsCompletion %YardsTDsINTsPasser Rating
2017CLE15255/47653.62,894112260.5
2018GNB320/4247.61870240.5
Career-18275/51853.13,081112458.9
Kizer's 2017 rookie season with was marked by significant turnover issues, as his 22 interceptions led the and contributed to a poor adjusted net yards per attempt (ANY/A) of 3.5, one of the lowest in league history for a primary starter. In 2018 with the Packers, his opportunities were minimal, appearing in relief roles without a pass and throwing two interceptions in just 42 attempts. Overall, Kizer faced frequent pressure, absorbing 42 sacks at an 8.1% sack rate (sacks per pass attempt), which exacerbated his completion percentage and efficiency metrics. He did not attempt a pass in any postseason games during his career.

Rushing statistics

DeShone Kizer demonstrated mobility as a during his career, accumulating 82 rushing attempts for 458 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. These figures reflect his tendency to scramble when passing under pressure, extending plays and contributing to ' offense in his rookie season. The bulk of Kizer's rushing production occurred in 2017 with the , where he recorded 77 carries for 419 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt across 15 games. In 2018 with the , his role was limited to 3 games, yielding 5 carries for 39 yards and no touchdowns, at 7.8 yards per carry. He had no recorded rushing attempts in subsequent stints with the Las Vegas Raiders or , as he did not appear in regular-season games after 2018.
YearTeamCarriesYardsTDsAvgLong
2017CLE7741955.432
2018GNB53907.812
Career-8245855.632
Kizer fumbled the ball 10 times on rushing attempts, with 5 of those fumbles lost, frequently during scrambles amid pocket pressure. In comparison to his at Notre Dame, where Kizer showcased greater rushing prowess with 263 carries for 992 yards and 18 touchdowns at 3.8 yards per carry over two seasons (2015–2016), his output highlighted a shift toward shorter, more opportunistic gains as a professional. This mobility added a dynamic element to his quarterbacking, though turnovers from fumbles underscored areas for improvement in ball security under duress.

Life outside football

Personal life

Kizer was born and raised in , the second of four children born to parents and Mindy Kizer. His father, a Toledo and former basketball player at , and his mother, a court bailiff, emphasized discipline, responsibility, and in their household, shaping Kizer's approach to life. He has an older brother, Dayven, a younger sister, Maelyn, and a younger brother, Aundre, with the family maintaining close ties despite Kizer's moves for college and professional opportunities. During his years at the , Kizer was in a with Thatcher, a fellow student who faced significant health challenges when she underwent a 17-hour in to remove a baseball-sized tumor from her neck. The ordeal, which required extensive recovery and tested their bond, provided Kizer with a deepened sense of perspective on priorities beyond athletics, as he balanced support for Thatcher with his duties. This experience reinforced his emphasis on resilience, a trait he credits for navigating personal and professional setbacks throughout his life. Kizer remains connected to his Toledo roots, returning periodically and being inducted into the Central Catholic High School Athletic Hall of Fame in April 2025 alongside his 2013 state championship football team. He has shown interest in giving back through youth development, participating in football camps such as the ' rookie-led event at Stadium in June 2017, where he helped coach children aged 7-12 on fundamentals and . Beyond football, Kizer has pursued business ventures, notably entering the NFT and digital collectibles space in 2022 as a means to innovate and build new opportunities. In reflecting on career hurdles, he has highlighted the role of and learning from adversity, lessons drawn from family guidance and personal trials that continue to influence his outlook.

Post-NFL activities

After being waived by the from their on November 29, 2021, Kizer rejoined the organization and has continued as a backup and member, including during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, while transitioning into . Kizer founded One of None, a blockchain-based platform that enables creators and brands to launch hybrid non-fungible tokens (NFTs) combining physical limited-edition products with digital ownership records. Launched in early , the company allows collectors to vault physical items while trading their digital counterparts, aiming to bridge traditional collectibles with technology. As of March 2024, Kizer served as the founder and CEO of One of None, focusing on expanding the platform's applications in , , and merchandise authentication. In media appearances, Kizer has reflected on his football journey and entrepreneurial pivot. He discussed the challenges of his rookie season with the and lessons in resilience during a November 2022 interview on The Breneman Show . In December 2023, he appeared on the Playmakers , detailing his shift from to leader. More recently, in August 2024, Kizer shared insights on struggles, his time backing up with the , and post-career identity on The Victory Degree . He continued these reflections in May 2025 on the Intangible , emphasizing and mindset after football. As of November 2025, Kizer remains actively involved with One of None, promoting its role in the evolving NFT and digital collectibles space, alongside his commitments.

References

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