The Indianapolis Colts released quarterback Brian Hoyer, the team announced Saturday.
After signing quarterback Philip Rivers to a one-year deal worth $25 million and with Jacoby Brissett still on the roster, Hoyer became an expendable piece. Given the salary cap hit he carries into 2020, this was an expected move for the Colts.
Following the retirement of Andrew Luck just weeks before the 2019 season, Brissett became the starting quarterback. The Colts then needed to find a viable backup option seeing as Chad Kelly was the only other quarterback in the room. This led them to signing Hoyer, who had been released by the New England Patriots.
Hoyer only saw action in two games during the 2019 season. He filled in for Brissett after he left with a knee injury in Week 9 against the Steelers and outside of a pick-six in that game, he looked relatively solid.
However, the same cannot be said for his only start in 2019. Filling in for Brissett and taking on the lowly Miami Dolphins, Hoyer disappeared. He completed 18 of 39 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in a 16-12 loss.
With two quarterbacks on the roster taking up roughly $45 million in salary cap space, it was inevitable for Hoyer to be released.
