Quarterback Brian Hoyer has earned the starting job in Houston, according to multiple reports.
Hoyer, a former New England Patriots backup, was battling another ex-Tom Brady understudy, Ryan Mallett, for the position after signing with the Texans this past offseason.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport was the first to report the news, which Texans head coach Bill O’Brien is expected to announce Monday.
Hoyer started against the San Francisco 49ers in Houston’s first preseason game — completing 2 of 4 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown — then came off the bench Saturday as Mallett got the nod against the Denver Broncos.
Neither signal-caller was particularly effective in the 14-10 loss to Denver, with Hoyer going 7-for-11 for just 52 yards and Mallett completing five of his seven throws for 23 yards. The Texans’ lone touchdown came on a pick-six by linebacker Kourtnei Brown.
Hoyer, who was released by the Patriots during the 2012 preseason, is coming off his first full season as a starter. The 29-year-old played in 14 games — starting 13 — for the Cleveland Browns in 2014, completing 55.3 percent of his passes for 3,326 yards with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His 76.5 passer rating ranked third-to-last in the NFL among all qualifying QBs.
Hoyer and Mallett are just two of several former Patriots on a Texans team that also employs defensive lineman Vince Wilfork and coaches Mike Vrabel, Romeo Crennel and O’Brien — all New England alums.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
