Report: Brian Hoyer Playing For New Contract & Job In Next 3 Weeks

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that Browns QB Brian Hoyer is facing a “referendum game” against the Bengals Thursday night.

Should Hoyer come out of their Week 10 match up with a win, the Browns are expected to approach him regarding a new contract.

However, if Hoyer struggles against Cincinnati and fails play any better in the following weeks when they take on the Texans and Falcons, he could not only be in danger of losing out on a new deal, but his starting job could be taken away as well.

According to Rapoport, there are “several key members” within the Browns that are reportedly “starting to get antsy,” and want to see what first-round pick Johnny Manziel can do.

This is somewhat surprising news given that Hoyer has led them to a 5-3 record and could still help them win a tough AFC North division.

Hoyer, 29, is in the final year of his two-year, $1.965 million contract that includes $250,000 guaranteed. He’ll make a base salary of $1 million for the 2014 season.

Even if he’s eventually replaced as the Browns’ starting quarterback, Hoyer is in a great position to secure a large pay raise on the open market next year, even if no one offers him a starting job.

Over the course of eight games, Hoyer has thrown for 2,022 yards while completing 58.1 percent of his passes to go along with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 18 quarterback in the league this season.