Jim McBride of the Boston Globe reports that the Patriots have reached agreements with QB Brian Hoyer and LB Brandon Copeland on Sunday.
According to Adam Schefter, the Colts will pay Hoyer $2 million 2020 with the Patriots paying him another $1.05 million.
People had been connecting the dots between Hoyer and New England the past few days, given the team’s need for quarterback help and the fact that he’s had a number of stints with the Patriots.
The expectation is that Hoyer will serve as the backup to Jarrett Stidham. Although, there’s still a chance that the Patriots could add another quarterback at some point.
Hoyer, 34, originally signed on with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State back in 2009. He spent three years in New England before bouncing around with a number of teams including the Steelers, Cardinals, Browns, Texans and Bears.
Hoyer signed a two-year, $12 million contract that included $10 million guaranteed with the 49ers in March of 2017 but was cut loose in the first year of his deal. The Patriots signed him to a three-year deal shortly after, but later released him last year.
Hoyer signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Colts in September. He was set to make a base salary of $2 million for the 2020 season when Indianapolis released him.
In 2019, Hoyer appeared in four games for the Colts and completed 35 of 65 pass attempts (53.8 percent) for 372 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.
Copeland, 28, originally signed on with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Pennsylvania back in 2013. He lasted just a few months with the team before he was waived and later caught on with the Titans during his rookie season.
After a year in Tennessee, Copeland signed a one-year contract with the Lions and returned to Detroit on a one-year, $615,000 exclusive rights contract the following year. The Jets signed Copeland to a contract in 2018 and he returned to New York last year on a one-year deal worth up to $3 million.
He was suspended the first four weeks of the 2019 season after violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
In 2019, Copeland appeared in 12 games for the Jets and recorded 40 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two pass defenses.
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