Longtime backup quarterback Brian Hoyer appears to be on his way out of New England, according to Sirius XM Radio’s Adam Caplan. The Patriots brought Hoyer back for the third time in 2020 but have plans to move on from him this offseason. 
Hoyer originally signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State in 2009. The previous season had seen star passer Tom Brady lost for the year to a torn ACL and MCL and required backup quarterback Matt Cassel to lead the Patriots. Cassel’s performance in Brady’s stead would earn him a new contract as the Chief’s starter in 2009. With Cassel gone, Hoyer took over the main role as Brady’s backup.
Just prior to the 2012 season, the Patriots released Hoyer as they decided to move forward with Ryan Mallett as their primary backup passer. Hoyer signed with the Steelers following injuries to Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich but never saw the field while backing up Charlie Batch. Two days after being released by Pittsburgh, Hoyer signed with the Cardinals, with whom he earned the first start of his career in the season finale after an injury to Ryan Lindley.
The following season saw Hoyer sign with his hometown team, the Browns. In Cleveland, Hoyer would see the most success in his career. Following an injury to Brandon Weeden, the Browns passed over backup Jason Campbell and started Hoyer. After earning his first-career win, Hoyer started the next two games (both wins), before suffering an ACL tear in that third start of the year. After recovering, Hoyer was tabbed as the starter for 2014 as Weeden and Campbell departed in free agency. He competed for the job with rookie first-round pick Johnny Manziel. Hoyer had an impressive 6-3 start to the season, dropping two games in heartbreaking fashion, before losing three of the next four, prompting a move to start Manziel. Hoyer went 7-6 as a starter that year.
Following the expiration of his contract in Cleveland, Hoyer signed with the Texans, where he competed with former teammate, Mallett, for the starting job. Houston went back and forth between the two for the year as Hoyer went 5-4 as a starter and threw an impressive 19 touchdowns to seven interceptions. The Texans would release Hoyer one year into a two-year deal, and he would sign with the Bears the following year. Backing up Jay Cutler, Hoyer got five starts in Chicago, throwing for a career-high 240.8 yards per game and six touchdowns with no interceptions.
In 2017, Hoyer had his last true starting gig in San Francisco, losing six straight starts before being benched for then-rookie C.J. Beathard. He was essentially traded to the Patriots in exchange for Jimmy Garoppolo, but since the Patriots didn’t want him included in the trade for compensatory draft pick reasons, he was simply released by the 49ers and re-signed by New England.
Since then, Hoyer has served solely as a backup quarterback for the Patriots, Colts, and then back to the Patriots for a third stint. He started a game in relief of each Jacoby Brissett in Indianapolis and Cam Newton and Mac Jones in New England, but as he’s progressed into his late 30’s, Hoyer has been relegated to only backup duty.
Hoyer’s latest release comes one year into another two-year contract and is likely due to the acquisition of Bailey Zappe last offseason. Hoyer had won the primary backup position over Zappe last season, earning a start in place of Jones in a Week 4 matchup against the Packers, but was replaced by Zappe after a concussion in the first quarter. New England now likely feels comfortable moving forward with Zappe as Jones’s backup quarterback. The Patriots only save around $300,000 in cap space as Hoyer still hits them for $1.64MM in dead cap money.
Turning 38 this upcoming season, it will be interesting to see what Hoyer decides to do. He has always shown the ability to perform off the bench over the years but has also been sidelined with injuries time and time again. Will Hoyer make yet another attempt to provide a franchise with a capable backup quarterback? Or will he avoid any further harm to his body by hanging up his cleats after a fourteen-year career in the NFL?
Onto coaching for Mr Hoyer!
Belichick signing Hoyer 3 times is a clear indication that Brian has a good head on his shoulders. QBs like Brady have too much ego to be good mentors but Hoyer could be very effective as a position coach.
He and Daniel Jones both want 45 million AAV!
Ironic that his most successful stint by QB record was with Cleveland.
According to Spottrac, he’s made over $32MM in his career… Should be comfortable enough if he decides to walk away.
As a former MSU Spartan would enjoy to see Hoyer sign as the Detroit Lions backup for 2024 as a homecoming of sorts and then retire next year. Go Green!!!
I would look for Brian Hoyer to be brought in by Josh McDaniels in Vegas. There he will compete with Jarrett Stidham and Carson Wentz for the starting spot.
I don’t see a good reason for Hoyer to retire if he’s feeling fine. Hoyer is a nice insurance policy for any team with a clear number one QB in his prime. A team wouldn’t expect to play Hoyer but if they have to, they can count on Hoyer not throwing away their season.
Hoyer with his vet experience should be pretty good at running scout team drills for the defense.
On the other hand, if Hoyer’s throwing arm has weakened and he’s feeling creaky in his joints, then yes, it’s time to leave.
The Pats do this every year to free up valuable roster space and (minimal) salary cap space, and then just sign Hoyer in the preseason.