NY Jets: Veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer visiting with the team

Justin Fried

NY Jets, Brian Hoyer Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The NY Jets may have identified the player they want to be their backup quarterback for the 2020 season with veteran Brian Hoyer reportedly set to visit with the team on Thursday.

As reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Hoyer is visiting with the Jets and seems to be emerging as the expected backup and mentor for the team’s next rookie quarterback.

Hoyer is best known for his three separate stints with the New England Patriots dating back to the 2009 season when he was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State.

The 35-year-old returned to New England this past season for the third time even starting his first game in a Patriots jersey when starter Cam Newton was held out due to COVID-19 guidelines.

It seems as though Hoyer might be staying in the AFC East.

The NY Jets could sign Brian Hoyer by the end of today

Hoyer has played for a whopping seven teams over the course of his 12-year career in the NFL. The Ohio native has started a total of 39 games throughout his career, but has primarily made a name for himself as a backup.

He found his most success in 2015 when he started nine of 11 games for the Houston Texans, throwing for 2,606 yards and 19 touchdowns as compared to just seven interceptions.

Somewhat incredibly, Hoyer has started at least one game for all seven NFL teams that he’s played for, although he received his most playing time in Houston and Cleveland while starting six games with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017.

Hoyer actually opened the 2017 season as the 49ers’ starter before being benched in favor of rookie C.J. Beathard. His time in San Francisco is notable as he crossed paths with both current Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

That connection could be one of the biggest reasons the Jets reached out to Hoyer.

With the Jets widely expected to draft a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, Hoyer would serve as the team’s primary backup. And more importantly, a veteran mentor to the rookie.

The Jets needed a veteran backup, and with the market dwindling, they seem to have identified their target.

Justin Fried

Justin Fried is an editor for FanSided who has over seven years of experience covering the NFL and various other sports. A diehard Jets fan since birth, Justin has served as the editor for The Jet Press since 2019, interviewing athletes such as Sauce Gardner, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe Klecko, and many others. Justin has also worked closely with brands like Red Bull to help highlight the niche sectors of the sporting world. His four-part series on the sport of breaking remains one of his proudest pieces of work. In his spare time, Justin is an avid pro wrestling fan who is fortunate enough to have traveled to nearly 30 different countries.