Before the Colts released Brian Hoyer last week, they discussed trading the veteran quarterback to the Patriots, the club that ultimately signed Hoyer once he was cut, as Stephen Holder of The Athletic writes. The conversations seemed to be at least somewhat serious in nature, as Holder reports trade compensation was discussed, but a deal never came together. Had New England acquired Hoyer, it would have been responsible for the rest of the three-year, $12MM contract Hoyer signed with Indianapolis in 2019. Instead, the Patriots inked Hoyer to a one-year, $1.05MM pact that includes up to $2MM in available incentives.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two South divisions:
- The Texans have been widely panned for the trade which sent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona and running back David Johnson to Houston, and the terms of Johnson’s contract aren’t going to make matters improve. Johnson, whose 2020 base salary of $10.2MM is already guaranteed, saw $2.1MM of his 2021 salary become fully guaranteed last Friday, tweets Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. The veteran back is scheduled to count for more than $11MM on the Texans’ salary cap in 2020 before that figure drops to $9MM in 2021.
- In other Texans contract news, linebacker Benardrick McKinney‘s $6MM base salary for 2020 is now fully guaranteed, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). McKinney, who inked a five-year, $50MM extension with Houston in 2018, previously had this year’s base salary guaranteed for injury only. The inside linebacker market has exploded since McKinney signed that pact, as his $10MM annual salary now ranks just 12th at the position.
- After making the biggest move in franchise history by signing Tom Brady to a free agent deal, the Buccaneers still have work to do in the upcoming draft. Tampa Bay still wants to find a pass-catching running back to work alongside Ronald Jones, while right tackle is also an an area that could be addressed, as Greg Auman of The Athletic writes. The Bucs did sign former Colts offensive lineman Joe Haeg as an option on the right side, but the 27-year-old has only started six total games in the past two seasons.
Texans are just in terrible shape. It’s not bad luck, it’s just stupidity.
Are they though? They have a good OL. Cobb, Stills, Coutee and Fuller aren’t a bad WR corp. Duke and DJ are a more dynamic pair than Hyde would have been. Fells probably needs to be replaced. But the defensive side of the ball lost primarily age and not talent. Then maybe they bring some talent in the draft which is much more likely adding a pick from the Cardinals.
I get the knock for the move but on the optimistic side if they were no longer going to get production from Hopkins because that stuff typically spills into play then they got something palatable for him. It makes no sense because a first rounder should have been a starter with him but that’s not what happened. BOB probably shouldn’t be their long term GM but you really can’t go back in time. At this point they’re still likely a playoff team as the Jags aren’t threatening to be good, the Colts upside exists but that’s on the arm of an old Phil Rivers and lastly the Titans that signed a guy who had the best 13 game stretch of his career. I just don’t see how the Texans are in bad shape.
Your point is valid on Houston but I think you’re underestimating the Colts. The Colts will be able to run the ball very well and they’re improved defensively. They’ve also still got some cap room and they weren’t that far off last year.
They just can’t throw more than 3.6 yards.
Hahah…this right here is what I needed this morning
The Jags have no idea what a QB is supposed to do. At least 3-4 QB’s drafted in the 1st round this century never panned out. Then paid Foles tons for 4 games, only to trade him thinking a groovy dude from the 6th round is the savior. Now I hope Minshew pans out, but looking at their history, most likely he won’t.
The oline is much improved, and defense mostly still intact. However, losing Reader definitely makes them worse, and even with Joseph being fairly old he was better than Conley last year. Both can be replaced in the draft, but as we currently stand the defense is worse than last year. As for WRs they definitely regressed and for sure need to add someone in the draft there as well. Fuller has been good when healthy (which is for only 60% of the games), not to mention he has been going against teams #2 and has had the defense double or at least shade coverage to Hopkins side. Keke has been even worse injury wise, which leave you with Cobb (with injury and declining play issues as well) & Stills. Johnson has been dealing with injuries and has been a shell of his former self. Maybe he can turn back the clock, but that’s a fairly big “if” for being the centerpiece of the return in the trade. Especially at 28 for RB and having as many touches as he has had. They still can compete for the division, but are no longer a legitimate SB contender. And since the end goal of any season is to win the SB, the trade definitely left them in terrible shape.
I am a big time Texans fan and they’re killing me rn
I think people are underestimating how big of an impact DJ will have out of that backfield.
Obviously Hopkins was a distraction that got on OBriens nerves. The Patriots have proved that the team must come first to establish consistent success.
Agreed on losing Reader being big loss, but maybe JJ will finish a season.
This conversation is mute, seeing that the Titans are going to stomp the Texans, blast the Colts and smash the Jags this year…
TITAN UP
Sing it, brother!
It’s not making sound?
Once Derek Henry is paid he will go back to being Derek Henry
As long as Rivers gets his groove back, be scared of the Colts.
Surprised the Bucs aren’t making more signings.
Brady, Suh and Haeg are obviously great additions, but thought they’d be adding more veteran depth