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Could Brian Hoyer be the New England Patriots starting quarterback in 2020?

By Russell S. Baxter

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 17: Brian Hoyer #2 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during a game against the Tennessee Titans during week two of the preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Patriots defeated the Titans 22-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 17: Brian Hoyer #2 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during a game against the Tennessee Titans during week two of the preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Patriots defeated the Titans 22-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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He’s back in Foxborough after being released by the Colts, so could veteran Brian Hoyer be the New England Patriots’ starting signal-caller this season?

It was a late afternoon in Week 2 of the 2001 season when the New England Patriots hosted the New York Jets. The name of the team’s home at the time was Foxboro Stadium. Late in that contest, quarterback Drew Bledsoe took a big hit from Jets’ linebacker Mo Lewis. In came second-year signal-caller Tom Brady.

You know the rest.

Now the six-time Super Bowl champion is a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At the moment, Bill Belichick’s quarterback depth charts consists of 2019 fourth-round draft choice Jarrett Stidham, well-traveled Cody Kessler and journeyman Brian Hoyer.

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Here are a few interesting about the latter. He has been a member of eight NFL teams since entering the league as an undrafted free agent with New England back in 2009. He’s played for seven of them and started for six different franchises.

The former Michigan State product has played in 69 career regular-season contests and also two playoff games, including a start for the Houston Texans in 2015.

Hoyer has played in more games for the Patriots (23) than any other club. And yet, it’s the only one of the seven he’s never made a start for. But is that about to change this season?

It’s somewhat assumed that the 11-year signal-caller will be Stidham’s backup. But is the former Auburn standout really ready to assume the starting job for Belichick’s team. As for Hoyer (who spent 2019 with the Colts), he is just a 59.1 percent career passer, throwing for 52 scores and 34 picks during his journeyman career. And the only time he’s started at least 10 games in any season was back in 2014 with the Cleveland Browns.

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Of course, who’s to say that 34-year-old hurler spends the season in the opening lineup? Could Hoyer ease Stidham into the role and buy the Patriots a little time? It’s not out of the question. Of course, Belichick could opt for an entire different plan if he opts to bring a certain former NFL MVP to Foxborough.

Interesting times for the NFL’s most dominant team this century.

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