Unless the San Francisco 49ers acquire a quarterback via trade, Brian Hoyer could probably sleepwalk his way to the starting job in training camp. When you look at it that way, it’s no surprise Hoyer decided to sign with the Niners.
In an appearance on PFT Live Thursday, Hoyer said he would not be content playing the role of backup in 2017.
“I’m going to have a really good opportunity to go in and be the starting quarterback, and that’s all I’m looking for at this point in my career,” the 31-year-old said. “I’m not ready to sit there and be content going into the season being a backup. I wanted an opportunity to compete for a starting job.”
Hoyer has a good relationship with Kyle Shanahan from when the new 49ers head coach was the offensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns. While Hoyer would not say that the two have a handshake agreement about the starting quarterback job, he does believe his history with Shanahan gives him an advantage over, say, Matt Barkley.
“I can go in there Day One and call the plays,” Hoyer said. “I don’t have to learn a whole new system.”
When Jay Cutler got hurt last year, Hoyer filled in nicely for the Chicago Bears. In fact, Hoyer probably would have kept the job if he did not suffer an injury himself. At this point, there’s probably only one particular offseason move that would send him to the bench in San Francisco, and that move is unlikely to happen.
