Now that the Jets are locked into setting up their new, young starting quarterback, they are trying to figure out who his veteran backup will be.
Brian Hoyer, who has played more than 12 seasons for seven teams, visits the Jets, according to a source. Hoyer, 35, played for the Patriots last season and started one game.
Hoyer is familiar with the Jets’ new offense. He played for the Browns in 2014 when Kyle Shanahan was the offensive coordinator and Mike LaFleur, the Jets’ offensive coordinator, was an intern. He also started six games for the 49ers in 2017, with Shanahan as head coach and LaFleur as the coordinator of the pass. Jets coach Robert Saleh was the 49ers’ defense coordinator and saw Hoyer up close. Hoyer took over 0-6 in front of Jimmy Garoppolo in San Francisco that season.
Backup quarter is a need for the Jets. After Sam Darnold traded on Monday, the Jets have only James Morgan and Mike White in the position. Neither of the two made a turn in an NFL game. The Jets are expected to line up BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft in 2021, within three weeks. They need to find a veteran for the backup and mentor for Wilson.
Hoyer has played in his career for the Patriots, Cardinals, Browns, Texans, Bears, 49ers and Colts, mostly as a backup. He started 39 games and is leading 16-23.
The Jets have been experiencing problems at the backup spot for the past few years. They have not won a game started by a rugby quarterback since 2016, when Bryce Petty won a game in San Francisco. They have been 0-15 ever since with a backup starting. Joe Flacco served as rugby head for Darnold last season and lost his four times. Flacco has joined the Eagles as a free agent this season.