Cleveland Browns: 10 best all-time free agent signings
By John Suchan
Cleveland Browns No. 9 best free agent: QB Brian Hoyer
Brian Hoyer is still playing the NFL as a backup quarterback for the New England Patriots. He’s been in the league since 2009 and he joined the Browns for the 2013 season.
He was one of the backups that season behind Brandon Weeden at that time. Hoyer made the most of his moments that first season as he went 30-of-54 passing for 321 yards with threw three touchdowns in his first game as a Browns starting quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings.
It was the following 2014 season that he made his mark for his hometown squad. The previous offseason, Cleveland drafted the very controversial quarterback Johnny Manziel from Texas A&M. There was a lot of excitement for Manziel to play for the team, however, there were also many issues off the field of Manziel partying and not focused on football that affected what was happening on the field.
Hoyer began the season as the starter and the Browns got off to a fast start. They had a 7-4 record and were playing well, but then the team lost the next two games. Even though they were in playoff contention, the powers to be decided they wanted Manziel to give it a go and try and reenergize the team for a run at the playoffs.
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That plan was a disaster as Manziel’s debut was a nightmare as the team got beat 30-0 by the Cincinnati Bengals.
And after that decision, Hoyer’s time in Cleveland came to a screeching halt. He was a solid quarterback and has had some success in the league. It was too bad he wasn’t able to continue in Cleveland but for a good part of 2014, Hoyer was on top of the world.
We will also always be able to enjoy re-watching Hoyer’s game-winning touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in 2013.