The Indianapolis Colts are bringing in veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer to be the backup behind starter Jacoby Brissett as the team continues to deal with the fallout of Andrew Luck’s retirement.
The Colts were actively searching the market for a veteran quarterback to add to the room behind Brissett. Hoyer was the best option to hit the market after he was released by the New England Patriots on Saturday.
With the Colts needing a viable body behind Brissett, general manager Chris Ballard is reportedly giving Hoyer a three-year deal worth $12 million, including $9 million guaranteed, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The Colts weren’t afraid to pay Hoyer—who was the best veteran option on the market—a solid deal. They needed a backup and with how much salary cap space they are working with, it shouldn’t have much of an impact on the numbers.
By signing Hoyer to a three-year deal, the Colts are showing their confidence that Brissett can be the future for Indy. If they had signed a younger option, an argument could be made that they were still looking for the answer to Luck’s retirement. But this signing—and Frank Reich’s comments—assure Brissett is the answer for the Colts.
The Colts will have some decisions to make with the depth in the room in a few weeks when Chad Kelly returns from suspension, but Hoyer is locked in as a the backup to Brissett in what is a much more comfortable quarterback room.
