“Brian, we text back and forth and talk with him,” Brady said at his weekly press conference on Wednesday. “It’s great to see him and it’s hard work really pays off and guys that stay at it and are mentally tough, always trying to do the right thing, like Brian has done, like Matt [Cassel] has done, like Ryan Mallett has done, it’s great when they finally get an opportunity to play.”
Hoyer threw for 321 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in the Browns’ 31-27 comeback win against the Vikings on Sunday. The 27-year-old led Cleveland to their first win of the season and helped the offense score almost twice as many points (31) in his lone game at quarterback than they did in the prior two games combined (16).
Before shipping back home to Cleveland, though, Hoyer spent three seasons as a backup with the Patriots, learning from and developing under Brady. The Patriots’ future Hall of Fame quarterback built a strong bond with Hoyer during their time together, one that he still holds in high regard.
“Yeah, we have a great relationship and a very close relationship,” Brady said. “The backup quarterback, there’s only been two of us, Brian and I at one time and now myself and Ryan Mallett. We have a great rapport. I’m friends with all those guys.”
Hoyer’s heroics on Sunday has earned him plenty of of fanfare in Cleveland and, even more importantly, another week as the Browns’ starter. Although, that could always change when Brandon Weeden returns.
Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.
