Brian Hoyer's contract will expire after the 2014 season and the Cleveland Browns have been hesitant to give the quarterback a new deal, which has the interest of the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans piqued, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Titans, Texans could target Brian Hoyer in free agency
If the Browns are unwilling to commit to Brian Hoyer, the Titans and Texans could battle for the quarterback in free agency.
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The Browns have been in “wait-and-see mode” when it comes to a new contract for Hoyer, according to Schefter; however, the delayed negotiations will likely only drive up the price tag for the passer. Through nine games as a starter, Hoyer has led the Browns to a 6-3 record with 10 touchdown passes and only four interceptions.
With All-Pro wide receiver Josh Gordon set to return to the team in Week 12, there's no reason to believe Hoyer's strong 2014 season isn't prepped to get even better as Cleveland battles for postseason contention.
Still, a long-term commitment to Hoyer could be a difficult one for the Browns to make after selecting Johnny Manziel with a first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. General manager Ray Farmer said he still believes Manziel is the future of the franchise at quarterback and that the team wants to play the Heisman Trophy winner when he is ready to take over.
That opens the door for the Titans or Texans to go after Hoyer, as both teams have unsettled futures at quarterback. Texans head coach Bill O'Brien previously worked with Hoyer during their time with the New England Patriots, while Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt coached Hoyer with the Arizona Cardinals, so both are familiar with the passer and it would be reunion either way.
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