The New England Patriots just cannot seem to say goodbye to Brian Hoyer.
On Tuesday, the team brought back Hoyer for his third stint on a one-year deal worth $1.05 million.
The addition of Hoyer puts the Patriots quarterback depth chart at four names for the first time ince 2000. Hoyer joins the likes of Cam Newton, 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones, and Jarrett Stidham.
While Newton figures to be the starter at the beginning of the season, and the team eyeing Jones as the long term solution, the battle for the third spot on the quarterback depth chart suddenly is interesting.
Hoyer appeared in one game for the Patriots last season as a last minute replacement of Newton at Kansas City. Stidham relieved Hoyer in that game and also appeared behind Newton five times last season.
Stidham was a fourth-round pick in 2019 but the decision to bring back Hoyer could mean the team is reading to move on from him one way or the other or it could give the Patriots an opportunity to cut Newton should he fail to perform this preseason. Of course Hoyer could also just be another arm and veteran to help mentor Jones.
What exactly Bill Belichick is thinking is anyone’s guess.
