The New England Patriots have welcomed back an old face in Brian Hoyer in a reported one-year deal. This will be the 34-year-old's third stint with the Patriots. He started his career in New England in 2009 and stayed there until 2011. His second stint came during the 2017-18 season before he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts.
Hoyer was the odd man out of the Colts rotation after Indianapolis signed Philip Rivers. He had one start last season with the Colts but was mostly playing backup to Jacoby Brissett. In his career, Hoyer has thrown for 52 touchdowns against 34 interceptions. Last season he played in 67 games and threw for four touchdowns and four interceptions.
According to Jim McBride of The Boston Globe, Hoyer and the Pats agreed to a one-year deal. Aside from Hoyer, New England also landed Brandon Copeland from the New York Jets. Details on how much the product of Michigan State would be making were not divulged.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting what role Hoyer will be taking on. With the departure of Tom Brady, the Pats now have three quarterbacks in the fold. The others are Cody Kessler and Jarret Stidham, quarterbacks who have not shone brightly for coach Bill Belichick. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network believes that the Patriots may not be planning to sign a veteran quarterback, meaning one of the three could be the starting QB for the Pats next season.
The three may be given chances to show their wares. Stidham is seen by most as the one who will likely start for New England. The sophomore player only threw four passes last season and will get the chance to do more for as long as he plays well for the Pats. if he fails to live up to expectations, Hoyer will likely get his chance to be New England's starting QB.
Unless the Patriots have a change of heart and go for a proven quarterback, it appears that New England will go through a rebuilding process this coming NFL season. There are no signs of the Pats trying to pursue big names like Cam Newton, hinting as well that Robert Kraft may not be willing to make a big investment for now.
Looking ahead, there is the 2020 NFL Draft to look forward to. It will be interesting if team scouts were able to skim the class where Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert are the only notable names at the QB position. There could be a sleeper in the draft who the Pats could be targeting.
