Remember Brian Hoyer? He was the quarterback the Pittsburgh Steelers signed to back up Charlie Batch for a few weeks last season when Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich were both sidelined with injuries.
On Wednesday, Hoyer was named the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns this week because starter Brandon Weeden is now sidelined with sprained his thumb suffered Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
Following his release from the Steelers, Hoyer latched on with the Arizona Cardinals and started one game for them late in December. The Cardinals restricted tendered him at a second-round level prior to the start of free agency this past offseason, but ultimately decided to waive him in May.
When Weeden left the game last Sunday against the Ravens, journeyman Jason Campbell replaced him, but his 1-of-4 passing performance for six yards wasn’t quite good enough for him to earn the start this week against the Minnesota Vikings.
Hoyer was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and he backed up Tom Brady until he was released prior to the start of the 2012 season. He remained unemployed until he signed with the Steelers in November.
