Brian Hoyer's journey in professional football is a testament to perseverance and adaptability. Born on October 13, 1985, in Lakewood, Ohio, Hoyer attended Michigan State University, where he played college football for the Spartans. Despite not being drafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, Hoyer's skills caught the attention of the New England Patriots, who signed him as an undrafted free agent.
Hoyer began his NFL career as a backup quarterback for the Patriots, learning under the tutelage of Tom Brady. During his initial stint with New England, he saw limited playing time but gained valuable experience and insight into the game. After three seasons with the Patriots, Hoyer was released in 2012, marking the beginning of a series of moves across the league.
In 2012, Hoyer joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, though his time there was brief. He was soon picked up by the Arizona Cardinals, where he started his first NFL game. The following year, Hoyer signed with the Cleveland Browns, a move that would provide him with the opportunity to showcase his abilities as a starting quarterback. During the 2013 season, Hoyer led the Browns to a series of victories before a torn ACL ended his season prematurely.
Returning to the Browns in 2014, Hoyer started 13 games, leading the team to a 7-6 record before being replaced by Johnny Manziel. Despite the setback, Hoyer's performance that season was enough to earn him a contract with the Houston Texans in 2015. With the Texans, Hoyer started nine games and helped the team reach the playoffs, although they were eliminated in the Wild Card round.
Hoyer's career continued with a stint at the Chicago Bears in 2016, where he started five games before suffering a broken arm. In 2017, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers, reuniting with former Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. However, his time with the 49ers was short-lived, as he was released mid-season following the acquisition of Jimmy Garoppolo.
Returning to the Patriots later in 2017, Hoyer served as a backup quarterback once again, providing depth and experience to the roster. In 2019, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts, where he played as a backup to Jacoby Brissett. Hoyer's third stint with the Patriots began in 2020, where he continued to serve as a backup and mentor to younger quarterbacks.
Throughout his career, Hoyer was known for his ability to step into various roles as needed, whether as a starter or a backup.
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