Browns Free Agency: Brian Hoyer Staying or Going?
By Paul Noel
The Cleveland Browns season is over. We will spend a good amount of time reviewing the season but we will spend even more time preparing for the off-season. Browns free agency seems destined to be an interesting one. The Browns spent a little bit of money last year with anticipating of building through the draft for long term success. The 2014 was expected to be another down year with high expectations towards the future.
Instead the 2014 started off strong and ended with a thud. Now the Browns are full of salary cap space, GM Ray Farmer and Head Coach Mike Pettine will need to evaluate their own top free agents to determine if they are going to offer them new contracts or let them walk .
Name
Position
Quarterback
Free Agency Status
Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA)
Stats
14 Games Played/ 13 Started; 242 Completions, 438 Attempt, 55.3 Completion Percentage, 3326 yards, 12 Touchdowns, 13 Interceptions
Expiring Contract
2 years, $1.9 million
2014 Free Agent Signing Comparison Contract
Ryan Fitzpatrick – Texans – 2 years, $7.2 million, $1.2 million Signing Bonus
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Prediction
QB Brian Hoyer might not be at the top of the Browns’ quarterback wishlist but in a free-agency period where the options are limited Hoyer looks allot nicer than the alternatives. Hoyer was the leader of the Browns’ even through the rough four game stretch that culminated in him sitting and the Browns’ starting Johnny Manziel. The Browns’ got a glimpse of what the 2015 season could look like if the position is not upgraded, but the limit of viable options leads me to one conclusion.
Hoyer will be STAYING, the Browns’ will likely offer the veteran a bridge contract of 2 years to give them more time to scout Quarterback talent in the Draft and evaluate Manziel as a long term solution. (Editor’s Note: I’m excited to see what kind of feedback this gets. Many/all agree that the Browns need to bring in a veteran QB to compete with Johnny Manziel and, sadly, there are few better options than our own Brian Hoyer. Had Manziel lit it up this wouldn’t be a discussion.)
What do you think of our prediction of Brian Hoyer staying next year?
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