After acquiring quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo from the Patriots, the 49ers are releasing veteran signal-caller Brian Hoyer, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
With Garoppolo now in tow, San Francisco had no need for Hoyer, who inked a two-year deal with the club this season. Rookie C.J. Beathard will presumably serve as Garoppolo’s backup, while Hoyer — who had admittedly struggled through a half-season in the Bay Area — will now hit the open market.
Although completely speculative, the Patriots stand out as an obvious suitor for Hoyer. After trading Garoppolo, New England no longer has a quarterback on the roster aside from starter Tom Brady. Hoyer spent the 2009-11 campaigns with the Patriots after signing as an undrafted free agent, so he offers experience in the New England system. And he’ll also come cheap given that he’ll earn termination pay from the 49ers, meaning he can now comfortably sign for the minimum.
Indeed, Hoyer was originally included as part of the Patriots’ return for Garoppolo, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). However, because Hoyer was signed as a free agent this offseason, he would have counted in New England’s 2018 compensatory pick calculation, and would have canceled out a Pats fourth- or fifth-rounder next year, tweets Nick Korte of Over the Cap.
Hoyer, 32, started six games for the 49ers before getting benched in favor of Beathard, and didn’t perform nearly as well as he had with the Bears in 2016. While completing just 58% of his passes, Hoyer tossed four touchdowns against four interceptions, and ranked 28th in adjusted net yards per pass attempt and 30th in quarterback rating.
Wow, that escalated quickly lol
And Hoyer back to New England
I think so too
Think it was the smart move though. I think Bethard hasn’t looked good but he’s a better option than Hoyer because of his mobility. If only the 9era can fix that terrible line this offseason Jimmy G might have a chance to actually do something.
Beathard has looked good based on what he’s been going through, but if you are going by the stats alone than no he hasn’t. The last two games he’s been getting pressured insanely.
Even Tom Brady when pressured his stats go down, maybe not always, but his stats and play have at times gone down (link to fivethirtyeight.com).
Any quarterback who was in Beathards situation probably wouldn’t look too good either based on stats.
He has a lot of good qualities, unfortunately the last two games were not really good to help bring those out in the stats.
49ers can continue to help develop him while someone else who has had the development time can potentially get the start.
God Bless.
I agree, I’ve been saying all year even before the season it doesn’t matter who the QB is or who he has to throw if he doesn’t have protection. The 9ers didn’t help their line out at all this off season and I pray they make it a priority this next off season. They need help in the secondary and another WR as well and I hope they address those needs as well but if they want anything from whoever is QB they’ve gotta fix that O Line big time.
What about the Dolphins? He’s played in Gase’s system most recently, clearly they need a better qb than moore to bide time til Cutler comes back
It wouldn’t make sense to trade within the division. Since Gase is the QB whisper they won’t want to face Jimmy G twice since he knows NE like the back of his hand. 49ers made all the sense in the world for a second they got a bargain the Pats did. Pats are smart because they are trying to build through the draft and help brady win at least one more.
He means as a destination for Hoyer.
Hoyer isn’t better he got benched for beathard.
dolphins are in QB purgatory for the next year or so. I would draft someone. Gase is a good coach but that place is a mess.
True plus they have 0 cap space.
This makes so much sense. We all now know that hoyer will go and backup brady and they will be fine. Jimmy G was smart move by the 9ers. Biggest loser is Cousins because he doesn’t have much leverage in negotiations and 9ers moved on wisely. This draft class is overrated i truly believe. The Pats will draft someone to develop mid to late round that no one ever heard of and he will find success in new england. Good for the 9ers they are going to be tough moving forward.
Agree completely and I said earlier let’s just hope they can fix that line and protect the guy. Their line has been terrible and it’s affected both the passing and running game.
Well i am an Eagles fan so i know what you mean. Your defense gave my birds some fits and they arent healthy.
They could be a juggernaut in a few years better than what falcons should of been. I don’t know if you are a 9ers fan but sorry about Joe Staley. I hope he gets better.
Yea I’m a 9ers, thank you. Sucks to see anyone hurt on the team especially someone like Staley. We just can’t stay healthy this year. I definitely do agree with our defense, we have a lot of talent there, need a CB or two and maybe a LB and I think we are where we need to be. Congrats on your win this weekend even if it was against my 9ers, y’all have a heck of a team this year and Wenz has made big strides in his second year. I’m actually really piling for the Eagles to get over that hump this year, been a long time coming for y’all.
So the Pats will probably sign Hoyer?