Arizona Cardinals cut quarterback Brian Hoyer

Brian Hoyer was slated to be the Arizona Cardinals third-string quarterback, but the team opted to cut the Michigan State product rather than pay him $2 million to do a job a less expensive candidate can fill.

Hoyer was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots in 2009, but became expendable for them when they selected Ryan Mallett in 2011. He was briefly on the Steelers last season, but found his way to the banged-up Cardinals well after their year was lost. He came in Week 16 to replace Ryan Lindley, a third-stringer himself behind Kevin Kolb and John Skelton. Hoyer wasn't so great -- he went 11-for-19 with a pick his first game -- but earned a start in Week 17, where he went 19-34 with a touchdown and an interception.

The Cardinals gave a second-round tender to the restricted free agent in the offseason, but acquired Carson Palmer by trade and signed fellow Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton, both of whom likely moved a slot ahead of Hoyer on the depth chart. They tried to trade him to the Cleveland Browns, but there apparently wasn't much interest. Thus, his salary wasn't worth his utility, and he'll be a free agent if he passes waivers.