Broncos reportedly interested in recently cut Patriots backup Brian Hoyer
Aug 9, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) throws a pass against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
Freshly cut Patriots backup quarterback Brian Hoyer may not be out of work for long, as the Broncos have already been linked to the 33-year-old journeyman, according to ESPN’s Diana Russini.
Sources in Denver tell me the Broncos are interested in bringing in Quarterback Brian Hoyer #Broncos
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 31, 2019
The Broncos connection checks out, as Denver released second-string quarterback Kevin Hogan on Saturday, opening up a spot for a No. 2 quarterback behind veteran Joe Flacco. The Broncos aren’t the only team looking for a capable backup option, though, as the Colts cut ties with second-string quarterback Phillip Walker on Saturday, too, leaving Indy without a backup behind Jacoby Brissett entering the regular season.
In other words, Hoyer is most definitely going to have options on the open market.
But it will be interesting to see exactly how the Hoyer situation plays out in New England.
It’s entirely possible that Hoyer is indeed done with the Patriots, and that rookie Jarrett Stidham will be the team’s lone backup behind 42-year-old Tom Brady. Given the talent level of this team, and the other tough decisions that have been made to date, carrying three quarterbacks has always seemed like a pipedream.
Or the Patriots could be setting their 53-man roster, then moving players to the injured reserve (players have to make the original 53-man roster to be put on the injured reserve with the designation to return later that season), only to circle back to Hoyer when that player’s roster spot is freed up. This is pretty much exactly what the Patriots did with running back Brandon Bolden in 2017, so it’s not exactly foreign territory to Bill Belichick.
Hoyer, who rejoined the Patriots in Nov. 2017 following the Jimmy Garoppolo trade, completed 18 of 22 passes for 202 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in two preseason games this summer.
