Axel Edward Brian Hoyer (born October 13, 1985) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. During his NFL career from 2009 to 2023, he started for eight different teams, the second-most in league history. Hoyer's longest stint was with the New England Patriots for eight non-consecutive seasons, primarily as a backup, and was a member of the team that won Super Bowl LIII. His most successful season was with the Houston Texans in 2015 when he helped lead them to a division title.
Born in Lakewood, Ohio, and raised in North Olmsted, Hoyer attended Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he played both football and baseball for the Wildcats. On the varsity baseball team, Hoyer played pitcher, infielder, and outfielder. As a sophomore in 2002, he compiled an 8–1 record with a 1.99 ERA. Hoyer was the winning pitcher in the 2002 Ohio Division I State Championship game allowing two earned runs in six innings pitched.
In football, Hoyer compiled a 16–7 record (.696) as a two-year starter for head coach Chuck Kyle. In 2002, he completed 131-of-263 passes (49.8%) for 2,130 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The following year, Hoyer completed 258-of-412 passes for 5,570 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions while leading his team to a 9–3 record. Hoyer was named USA Today Prep Player of the Week for his performance against Shaker Heights High School. Hoyer was an Associated Press Division I all-state selection as a senior. He participated in the 2004 Ohio All-Star Classic and the July 24 Ohio-Pennsylvania Big 33 All-Star Game.
Hoyer was redshirted by Michigan State University in 2004, where he earned Scout Team Offensive Player of the Week honors twice.
In 2005, Hoyer saw action in five games in which he completed 15-of-23 passes (.652) for 167 yards and two touchdowns. In a game against Illinois, he combined with Drew Stanton to throw seven touchdown passes, which tied the Big Ten single-game record.
In 2006, Hoyer played in eight games and completed 82-of-144 passes for 863 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions.
In 2007, Hoyer was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. He completed 223-of-376 throws (.593) for 2,725 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 13 games. Hoyer had six 200-yard passing games.
As a senior in 2008, Hoyer was listed among 26 preseason candidates for the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top senior quarterback. That year, he played in 13 games and completed 180-of-353 passes (.510) for 2,404 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
New England Patriots (first stint)
Despite being invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Hoyer was not selected in the 2009 NFL draft. He signed immediately after the draft with the New England Patriots.
Hoyer debuted in the Patriots' preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 11-of-19 passes for 112 yards. In the preseason finale against the New York Giants, he played at quarterback the entire game, leading the team on a comeback after trailing 21–0 in the first quarter to a 38–27 victory, completing 18-of-25 passes for 242 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions.Hoyer finished the preseason 29–of–44 for 354 yards, including one touchdown, with a 98.1 passer rating. Of the four quarterbacks behind Tom Brady during training camp, the Patriots released Matt Gutierrez, Kevin O'Connell, and Andrew Walter, leaving him as Brady's only backup when the Patriots made their final roster cuts on September 5.
Hoyer made his NFL debut on October 18, in the second half of a game against the Tennessee Titans. On his first drive, Hoyer was 5-for-5 for 35 yards, concluding it with a one-yard rushing touchdown, which set a franchise record for points scored in the Patriots' 59–0 victory. In the regular season finale against the Houston Texans, he appeared in the game and completed eight of 12 passes for 71 yards.
Hoyer entered the 2010 preseason as Brady's only backup. During the preseason, Hoyer completed 32-of-57 passes for 471 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
Hoyer saw his first action of the regular season late in a 34–14 loss to the Cleveland Browns, throwing his first NFL interception. In Week 17, against the Miami Dolphins, he threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Tate for his first NFL touchdown pass.
Although the Patriots drafted quarterback Ryan Mallett in the draft over the summer, Hoyer retained his role as Brady's primary backup.
Hoyer saw only limited action during the 2011 season; his only pass attempt was the Patriots' final attempt of the 2011 regular season. The pass, which head coach Bill Belichick asked offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien to call, was a 22-yard pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski to give Gronkowski the NFL record for receiving yards in a season by a tight end. In the playoffs, the Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round and the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game to reach Super Bowl XLVI. The Patriots went on to lose 21–17 to the Giants.
On August 31, 2012, Hoyer was released by the Patriots during final cuts. He practiced with Saint Ignatius players while hoping for another team to sign him.
On November 20, 2012, Hoyer signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers after injuries to starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and backup Byron Leftwich within a week of each other. He served as the backup to Charlie Batch in Weeks 12 and 13 against the Browns and Ravens respectively. Hoyer was released on December 8. The Steelers are Hoyer's only NFL team that he did not start for.