Patriots re-signing Brian Hoyer was most underrated priority of offseason
First Devin McCourty, now Brian Hoyer! The New England Patriots are taking care of their longtime veterans before free agency officially opens, and both moves are intrinsic to both the short- and long-term success of the team.
McCourty’s return represents stability in a secondary that could be in flux, and he’ll be around to continue help developing Kyle Dugger, who has emerged as one of the better young safeties in the NFL and could figure to be a classic Patriots lifer.
As for Hoyer, though the announcement of his return on Monday morning didn’t exactly get the fan base jazzed up, it was arguably the most underrated priority for the franchise this offseason. The most important task Bill Belichick and Co. have moving forward is ensuring the successful progression of second-year quarterback Mac Jones.
Do you think Jones’ rookie year would’ve gone as well as it did without Hoyer constantly in his ear and present in the quarterbacks’ room?
Patriots gave QB Brian Hoyer a 2-year, $4 million deal that includes $3 million guaranteed and incentives, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2022
The New England Patriots have re-signed Brian Hoyer on Monday
His presence clearly played an important role. Jones was the best rookie QB in his class, which was stacked with plenty of talent drafted before him — Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance and Justin Fields — in an offense that didn’t boast a No. 1 receiving option and whose success was predicated on running the ball.
The Patriots’ offensive system is known to be complicated. Cam Newton talked about it a ton during and after his one season with the team. Hoyer’s extensive knowledge (seven years in Foxborough) was more than likely a guiding force for a rookie in Jones during a season filled with pressure following Tom Brady’s departure/Super Bowl win and New England finishing with a losing record for the first time in two decades.
Jones responded by finishing with 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, a 67.6 completion percentage, and a second-place recognition in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. He did incredible work himself, but without Hoyer’s influence there’s no way to properly project where Jones would be right now.
Another couple of key in-house signings for the #Patriots… Brian Hoyer being back another year is particularly important. https://t.co/OZG6KgQWH0
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2022
Jones has talked about how much Hoyer helped him his rookie season and that type of guidance will be required as the Patriots deal with roster turnover and a stacked AFC that now has Russell Wilson and Khalil Mack as the latest star players to join the party after coming over in trades from the NFC.
With Josh McDaniels now in Las Vegas, retaining Hoyer became even more important as the Patriots enter an era with a new offensive leader and unexpected change. The QB’s room remaining the same maintains an important area of stability needed for a developing young star.
