Patriots Veteran QB Spurned AFC East Rival in Free Agency

The New England Patriots offered Brian Hoyer a one-year deal with the team. He accepted the deal and NFL analysts have several theories about his future with the team. It looks like the Patriots QB ditched an offer from an AFC East rival just to stay with the team. This speaks volumes about his new deal with the team.

Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, “The Jets made attempts to sign Brian Hoyer as a backup to Zach Wilson, per source, but Hoyer lives in the New England area, and his familiarity with Patriots helped put signing with N.E. over the top.”

The Patriots QB ignores AFC East Rival

The veteran had four stints with the Patriots. His new deal extends the most recent reunion which started before the start of the 2020 campaign. Hoyer is an excellent leader and coaches like his steadiness and willingness to work with young quarterbacks. Is this why the Jets wanted to sign him? Absolutely. We bet these were the reasons head coach Bill Belichick had to bring Hoyer back on the roster.

Hoyer didn’t see much action with the Patriots in 2020. But, as we already mentioned, he is an excellent mentor and Belichick will use him to coach Mac Jones. New England selected Jones with the 15th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Cam Newton signed a deal with the Patriots, too. Belichick said he was the starting quarterback for the team. Jarrett Stidham is still here, but the Patriots may cut him in the final roster trimmings. Belichick would never keep four quarterbacks on the roster.

That’s exactly what Dov Kleinman suggested in his most recent tweet.

“Sounds like the #Patriots gave Brian Hoyer some assurance he’ll make the final roster. This means Jarrett Stidham’s time on the Patriots is over unless Belichick is going to keep 4 QBs on the final roster.”

The only thing we can do right now is sit and wait. Belichick will pull out the right move at the right time. If Stidham has to go then he will probably go. Hoyer and Newton are still here and Jones has just started his journey with the Patriots.