When the Cleveland Browns selected Johnny Manziel with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, virtually everyone thought it meant the end of Brian Hoyer in Cleveland. When Manziel replaced a struggling Hoyer in Week 15, everyone thought it meant the end for him in Cleveland. But then when Manziel actually got extended playing time, the rumors of Hoyer's demise quickly started to recede. To put it mildly, Manziel was not very good.
Now it appears as if Hoyer's time in Cleveland may not be as finite as we had expected. Hoyer's agent, Joe Linta, told Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal recently that Cleveland had expressed interest in bringing Hoyer back for the 2015 season. Linta did clarify, however, that he and the organization "never got to the numbers part" of any discussions.
Hoyer, a Cleveland native, would prefer to return to the Browns if he knew his playing time was more certain. It's expected that Hoyer will talk with Browns head coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer at some point this offseason to discuss the franchise's plans.
"I think the only thing that would make him not [want to] come back is if they said [Johnny] Manziel or whoever we take in the draft or whoever we sign in free agency is going to be the starter and you will only be the backup," Linta said. "I think that would probably drive him away a little bit.
"If Pettine said, 'Hey, it's going to be an open competition again between you and Johnny,' great, let's go...[Hoyer] wants to play. The kid wants to have an opportunity to compete and play."
It's not as if 2014 was all bad for Hoyer. Returning from an ACL tear, the 29-year-old beat Manziel for the starting gig and helped guide the Browns to a 6-3 start. But then things started to go downhill. Hoyer tossed eight interceptions against just one touchdown over his next four games before being replaced by Johnny Football.
Overall, Hoyer threw for 3,326 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
