QB Brian Hoyer Released by Colts After Philip Rivers Signing

Backup quarterback Brian Hoyer was released by the Indianapolis Colts following the team's announcement they have officially signed Philip Rivers on Saturday. 

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Tuesday that the Colts had agreed to a one-year contract worth $25 million. The Colts confirmed the move, and Rivers provided a video addressing his new home:

Last season was Hoyer's only campaign in Indianapolis. The 34-year-old appeared in four games and made one start.

Hoyer started in Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins as starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett was ruled out with a sprained MCL in his left knee suffered the previous week against Pittsburgh. The Colts lost 16-12 to the Dolphins. Hoyer threw for 204 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions on 18-of-39 passing. 

Hoyer had previously replaced Brissett in the second quarter of Week 9's matchup with Pittsburgh. He turned in a solid performance with 168 yards passing for three touchdowns and one pick. The Steelers prevailed 26-24.

The Colts will move into the 2020 season with Rivers and Brissett battling it out for the starting job. The presumption is that Rivers, the Los Angeles Chargers' all-time leading passer in several categories, will be Indy's starter with Brissett moving again into the backup role he occupied before Andrew Luck surprisingly retired last August.

Either way, the Colts reportedly want to keep Brissett "in the fold":

As for Hoyer, speculation has begun that the Michigan State product could possibly return to the New England Patriots:

The Patriots have to address the quarterback position after Tom Brady decided to leave New England, where he has played his entire NFL career and won an all-time most six Super Bowl championships, to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week:

There's familiarity with Hoyer. The Pats signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He backed up Brady until 2011, then returned to New England in 2017 on a three-year deal following his release from the San Francisco 49ers. Hoyer was released by the Pats in August 2019.