The Cleveland Browns have expressed interest in re-signing quarterback Brian Hoyer.
Hoyer, a North Olmsted, Ohio, native, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 10 but would like to remain with his hometown team. He is expected to meet with coach Mike Pettine, general manager Ray Farmer and offensive coordinator John DeFilippo in the near future to discuss the possibility.
"We never got to the numbers part," Joe Linta, Hoyer's agent, told the Akron Beacon Journal on Saturday of the contract talks. "They called and said they were interested in bringing him back.
"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 back-up.
"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."
Hoyer, 29, got the nod as starting quarterback to begin last season. He led the Browns to a 6-3 record and first place in the AFC North before losing the starting position to Manziel in Week 15 after throwing eight interceptions and just one touchdown pass in the next four games.
Manziel, however, proved to be ineffective on the field and troublesome off it, potentially giving Hoyer the upper hand.
Hoyer finished the season with 3,326 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Browns finished 7-9 and last in the AFC North.