Brian Hoyer will head back to New England for the third time in his career as part of the team’s plan to find a replacement for Tom Brady.
The 34-year-old will be heading back to Foxborough after his last stint ended in 2018 and will reportedly receive $1 million and $1 million from the Colts in guaranteed cash with $2 million available in incentives.
Hoyer was released by the Patriots after they signed Jarrett Stidham in the 2019 draft with whom he will now compete for the job as starter alongside Cody Kessler.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Hoyer would have taken the job even if offered more money elsewhere as long as New England offered him the chance to compete for the starting spot.
This marks the first step for the New England Patriots in rebuilding their quarterback corp after Tom Brady went into free agency and left the team.
After months of speculation, Brady, who has been the Patriots’ starter for two decades, signed a two-year $30 million a year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.
Brian Hoyer’s journeyman career
During his previous stint at New England, Brian Hoyer appeared in 13 games in relief of Tom Brady between 2009 and 2011.
While at the Colts, Hoyer served as backup for another New England alumni Jacoby Brissett where he played in four games.
He wracked up 168 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. When he started in week nine against the Dolphins he completed 18 of 39 passes for 204 yards, a touchdown and three picks in a 16-12 loss.
During his career, Brian Hoyer has played for eight teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Arizona Cardinels, the Cleveland Browns and the San Francisco 49ers.
He has only been named as starter once throughout his storied career. In 2015, the Houston Texans named him as starter over former Patriots teammate Ryan Mallett.
He has a career completion percentage of 59 and has thrown 52 touchdowns with 34 interceptions.
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