Although he has retained his job as the Browns' starting quarterback for at least one more week, Brian Hoyer's time in Cleveland likely will be limited, according to league sources.
Short of a playoff trip this season that could force the Browns to ramp up efforts to keep him, Hoyer is expected to depart Cleveland when he becomes a free agent after this season, the sources told Adam Schefter.
There are expected to be suitors in free agency -- perhaps the Texans -- that value Hoyer more than the Browns do, according to sources.
The Browns enter Sunday's game against the Colts with a 7-5 record, and Hoyer has started every game this season. But Cleveland also likely will want to create an opportunity next season for rookie Johnny Manziel, a first-round draft pick this season.
Manziel replaced an ineffective Hoyer in last week's loss to the Bills and provided a temporary spark for Cleveland's offense by running for a touchdown on his first drive. But Browns coach Mike Pettine named Hoyer as his starter for Sunday's game against Indianapolis, saying that the veteran "gives us the best opportunity to win."
Hoyer, 29, has been productive in his first full season as a starter, passing for 3,056 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. But he has struggled recently, throwing five interceptions and no touchdowns in his last two games.
