BOSTON — The Patriots are expected to release veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer, a source confirmed to the Boston Herald.
Hoyer, who has had three different stints with the Patriots, started one game in 2022, that coming Week 4 against the Packers in Green Bay.
He started in the absence of starter Mac Jones, who suffered a high ankle sprain the previous week. Hoyer’s start, however, was short-lived as he was knocked out of the game with a concussion during the Patriots' second offensive series.
He was put on injured reserve and remained there all season.
The release of Hoyer, which is expected to come prior to the start of free agency on March 15, would leave Jones and 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe as the only quarterbacks on the roster. The Patriots will likely add a third before the start of training camp.
The 37-year-old had one year remaining on the two-year, $4 million deal he signed last March, which included $1.4 million in guaranteed money for 2023.
Speaking with him at his locker in January following the end of the season, Hoyer had said he was looking forward to coming back for this upcoming season.
“I wish I would have stayed healthy and been able to play that time while Mac was out,” Hoyer said. “I don’t want my last year to be spent like that. So I’m looking forward to thankfully having another year on my contract, and coming back and playing, and trying to help us win any way possible.”
Sirius XM NFL Radio first reported the Patriots’ plans to release Hoyer.
