Brian Hoyer Could Win Cleveland Browns Backup Quarterback Job
By Josh Hill
The Cleveland Browns turned a few heads this week when they signed free agent quarterback Brian Hoyer, most recently cut by the Arizona Cardinals. THe reason for the surprise is the fact that Cleveland already has two quarterbacks on roster expected to fight for the starting spot and Hoyer’s existence on the roster complicates that. While Brandon Weeden is widely recognized as the strongest candidate to win the starting job, Hoyer is expected to make a significant run at the backup role and you shouldn’t sleep on the idea of him beating our Jason Campbell in training camp.
ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi believes that Campbell will enter camp as the favorite to be the backup but that could easily change.
"If Weeden plays up to his capabilities, he will win the starting job. Campbell would figure to be the pre-camp favorite for No. 2, given his NFL experience, but I wouldn’t count out Hoyer. My gut feeling is that all three quarterbacks could make the final roster. Whether they all do stick will be determined in camp and preseason – and injuries at other positions at QB around the league."
Hoyer has already made Brandon Weeden uncomfortable but he’s more likely to take Campbell’s job as backup and could even cost him a roster spot, as Grossi implied in his observation of the situation.
No matter what the Browns do, it’s a make or break year for whoever starts as Rob Chudzinski and Norv Turner will want the best man for the job and he may not even be on the roster at the moment.