The New England Patriots have released quarterback Brian Hoyer. Hoyer served as the Patriots backup from 2009 to 2011 and 2017 to 2018, but 2019 fourth-round draft choice Jarrett Stidham outplayed Hoyer in the preseason and training camp.
Stidham moves into the prominent role as Tom Brady’s backup. That also makes the Stidham, an Auburn product, the quarterback-in-waiting in New England. Hoyer, meanwhile, may be the best and most experienced quarterback on the free agent market.
Hoyer has spent time as a starter around the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals. He has started a total of 37 games, though none with New England.
Stidham finished the preseason with the most passing yards in the NFL. He was 61 of 90 with 731 yards (8.1 yards per attempt, another 2019 preseason high) for four touchdowns and one interception. He had a tendency to hold on to the ball too long, which showed in the six sacks he took during his appearances. Stidham seemed to be overtaking Hoyer when the rookie entered the third preseason game as Brady’s backup; Hoyer didn’t play. Stidham also played for all of the fourth preseason game.
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