After three seasons in his third stint with the New England Patriots, quarterback Brian Hoyer was released at the start of the 2023 offseason. But one insider suggests that Hoyer’s dismissal may have been about more than just his roster spot.
Appearing on Jones & Mego with Arcand, Patriots insider Tom E. Curran suggested that Hoyer’s release had more to do with his objection to how the Patriots ran their coaching staff last year. He theorized that the Patriots wouldn’t cut him and not be a part of their system unless he had done something to truly upset head coach Bill Belichick.
“Look, Brian Hoyer’s not here anymore,” Curran said. “And Brian Hoyer was guaranteed 1.4 (million) of his two-million-dollar contract. Patriots released him, made it clear that, ‘We’re moving on because of your head.’ He had been cleared (to play) for a long time. He anticipated coming back.
“Brian Hoyer was not sold on what was going on last year. And … I think he let that be known that Mac was up against it on a weekly basis. And I think that’s a large portion of why Hoyer’s not here. The Patriots would tell you otherwise, but they’re paying him 1.4 million dollars to not play here and not be part of the system. Even through training camp and release him in August, when you could use him for this offseason. ‘Nope, thanks, we’re all set with you.’ I think it’s interesting.”
Tom E. Curran reveals that Coach Belichick was really pissed off at Mac Jones for going outside the building for advice on how to run the offense.
Curran also believes Brian Hoyer was released because he was against the system like Mac. pic.twitter.com/ZC3URuwdQw
— Jones & Mego with Arcand (@JonesandMego) March 31, 2023
It would certainly be very Belichick-ian of him to release a trusted voice in the room over any level of disagreement with how he runs the team.
But at 37 years old, Hoyer’s contributions to the team in 2023 would have been minimal to begin with.
If nobody else signs Hoyer this year, it’ll be a pretty good sign that it’s more about his play and less about his attitude.