Now that the Jets are locked in designing their new starting quarterback, they’re trying to figure out who their veteran savior will be.
Brian Hoyer, who has played for seven teams over 12 seasons, is visiting the Jets on Wednesday, according to a source. Hoyer, 35, played for the Patriots last season, starting a game.
Hoyer is familiar with the Jets’ new offense. He played for the Browns in 2014, when Kyle Shanahan was the offensive coordinator and the Jets offensive coordinator, Mike LaFleur, was an intern. He also started six games for the 2017 49ers with Shanahan as head coach and LaFleur as the passing game coordinator. Jets coach Robert Saleh was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator and saw Hoyer up close. Hoyer went 0-6 that season in San Francisco before Jimmy Garoppolo took the lead.
The backup is a must for the Jets. After trading Sam Darnold on Monday, the Jets have James Morgan and Mike White only in position. None of them have ever taken a hit in an NFL game. The Jets are expected to recruit BYU defender Zach Wilson with general election no. 2 in three weeks at NFL Draft 2021. They need to find a veteran to support and guide Wilson.
Hoyer has played for the Patriots, Cardinals, Browns, Texans, Bears, 49ers and Colts throughout his career, especially as a backup. He started 39 games and is 16-23 as a starter.
The Jets have had trouble at the reserve spot in recent years. They did not win a game started by a backup defender in 2016, when Bryce Petty won a game in San Francisco. I’m from 0 to 15 since then, with a backup start. Joe Flacco served as a backup for Darnold last season, losing all four starts. Flacco has signed with the Eagles as a free agent this season.