Denver Broncos expected to show interest in Brian Hoyer

The Denver Broncos are expected to show interest in veteran QB Brian Hoyer, who was let go by the New England Patriots on cut day.

The Denver Broncos have cut backup quarterbacks Kevin Hogan and Brett Rypien, leaving veteran Joe Flacco and injured rookie Drew Lock the only quarterbacks on the active roster.

The move to release Hogan is somewhat surprising given Lock’s injury, but if Lock would have been healthy, Hogan would have been released anyway and the only consideration for the 53-man roster he was given was based on his prior NFL experience.

Throughout preseason play, Hogan looked less-than-average, completing just over 50 percent of his passes with one touchdown and three interceptions.

Now, it appears the Broncos will take to the waiver wire, trade block, or free agency to sign a temporary solution at the backup quarterback spot while Drew Lock recovers. One option is veteran Brian Hoyer, who was recently let go by the New England Patriots.

I think Hoyer is one of a number of backup quarterback options the Broncos could have interest in.

The positives of signing a player like Hoyer are not hard to find. First and foremost, he’s a proven veteran in the NFL and a decent quarterback to have in an emergency situation.

Back in 2013-14, when he was with the Cleveland Browns (and Kyle Shanahan), Hoyer started 16 games and went 10-6.

He then signed with the Houston Texans in 2015 and went 5-4 in nine starts.

With that said, he is 1-10 in his most recent starts with the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers, where both Vic Fangio and Rich Scangarello have a level of familiarity with him.

The negatives to signing a guy like Hoyer, or possibly some reasons why he would not sign with Denver, include the fact that he would take reps from Drew Lock when Lock is healthy. His presence on the roster also becomes a bit unnecessary when Lock is ready to go.

If Hoyer is just going to be let go whenever Lock is healthy, why would he sign with the Broncos?

The Broncos are kind of in a tough spot. They need someone who is capable of filling in just in case there is an injury to Joe Flacco, but they also don’t need someone for very long.

Their best option might be to get a younger player who has some developmental potential but also a bit of experience who would be the clear no. 3 in the pecking order behind Flacco and Lock.