Brian Hoyer signed a two-year, $12 million contract to be the first quarterback on the 49ers roster for 2017. After inking his pact with San Francisco, the veteran passer doesn’t expect to sit on the bench.
Brian Hoyer thinks he can be the 49ers starting quarterback
San Francisco may add a young passer in the draft, but for now this looks like Hoyer’s team.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
“I’m going to have a really good opportunity to go in and be the starting quarterback, and that’s all I’m looking for at this point in my career,” Hoyer told Michael David Smith on PFT Live. “I’m not ready to sit there and be content going into the season being a backup. I wanted an opportunity to compete for a starting job.”
So far, his path to the top job in the Bay Area is clear. The only other passer on the team’s roster is Matt Barkley — a player Hoyer had passed on the depth chart last fall when the two played for the Chicago Bears. That lone season in the Windy City also served as Hoyer’s finest as a pro. His 98.0 passer rating would have ranked him seventh among starting passers in 2016.
However, his season ended after just six games — and five starts — after suffering a broken arm against the Packers in October. He’ll look to restart that momentum with a San Francisco team that was devoid of weapons in 2016. The 49ers scored just 19.3 points per game last season and fielded the league’s least potent passing offense. New head coach Kyle Shanahan has added veteran wideouts Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, and Aldrick Robinson to help rebuild the team from the ground up.
Hoyer is confident he can start under Shanahan in 2017, but he may have some competition from a player who isn’t even on the roster yet. The 49ers appear likely to add a young, developmental passer in this April’s NFL Draft, where players like UNC’s Mitchell Trubisky, Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, and Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer have emerged as the best options in a relatively weak quarterback class.
Even if San Francisco adds a young passer, the franchise will likely call on Hoyer to take the reins through 2017 as their rookie learns the ropes. The veteran quarterback chose to take his talents to a 2-14 team this spring thanks to the opportunities a barren roster would provide. With the 49ers quarterback situation looking limited at best, it looks like he’ll get his wish to start next season.
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