The Houston Texans have signed quarterback Brian Hoyer to a two-year deal worth $10.5 million, according to Albert Breer of NFL Network. The move reunites head coach Bill O’Brien with Hoyer, who worked together in New England when O’Brien was the offensive coordinator and Hoyer was Tom Brady’s backup.
Brian Hoyer signs 2-year deal with Texans
The former Browns quarterback has a new home in Houston.
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
The former Cleveland Browns signal caller struggled toward the end of the 2014 season after posting a 4-3 record through his first seven games to open the season as a starter. A dismal November and December resulted in a 3-4 finish and subsequent benching in favor of rookie Johnny Manziel. Hoyer posted a 76.5 quarterback rating in 14 appearances and threw 12 touchdowns against 13 interceptions to go along with a 55.3 completion percentage.
The signing gives Hoyer a fresh start and a chance to earn a starting role out of training camp, which was his goal entering the new season. He showed flashes of ability to run an NFL offense while in Cleveland, though he lacked the consistency to earn a new deal under head coach Mike Pettine.
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Hoyer won’t be the only former Brady backup on the Texans’ roster. The team also re-signed Ryan Mallett to a two-year deal, setting up an interesting quarterback competition in camp this year.
Not lost on Houston is the fact that Hoyer led the Browns to four fourth-quarter comebacks in 2014. He did so without top playmaker Josh Gordon until Nov. 17. When he did return, Gordon wasn’t himself and ran wrong routes on several of Hoyer’s late-season interceptions. Starting center Alex Mack also went down with a broken leg in October.
Under the circumstances, a new team could be the right prescription for a career resurgence for the 29-year-old.
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