Jets' backup plan? Brian Hoyer visits New York
The chess match between the Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick has been plodding to this point, with neither team scheduled to make any noise before the draft next week.
But bringing in a potential replacement for a visit could reset the board pretty quickly.
Brian Hoyer visited Jets on Tuesday so long as Houston-area weather cooperates, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Hoyer, 30, was let go by the Texans over the weekend now that Brock Osweiler is firmly entrenched as the starter.
The timing of the release could end up being serendipitous for Hoyer, who has nearly joined the Jets several times over the course of his career. At a time when the team is still millions of dollars apart from Fitzpatrick with no break in sight, a quarterback of similar pedigree who is asking for less money and is three years younger might be just what general manager Mike Maccagnan is looking for.
Over their last 28 games, Fitzpatrick and Hoyer are not markedly different in most categories:
Fitzpatrick: 16-12 record, 532-874 (60.9) for 6,388 yards, 48 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
Hoyer: 15-10 record, 523-903 (57.9) for 6,547 yards, 36 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
Hoyer never had the fantastic type of season Fitzpatrick did in 2015 with the Jets -- arguably the greatest single season for a quarterback in franchise history -- which explains the gap in touchdowns. But part of the reason why the Jets are stalling has to be the fact that 2015 might have been an anomaly. If they have the slightest worry it was, do we hear Hoyer's name again soon?