NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the Browns have staged preliminary talks with Brian Hoyer's camp about a contract extension.
Rapoport spoke with Hoyer's agent, Joe Linta, who confirmed that while discussions have taken place, "it will be a very difficult deal to do. We're always open to talking with the Browns, but we're content to wait and see what happens down the road."
The reality is that Hoyer's value might shift dramatically between now and season's end. He could materialize as a successful starter or remain a solid backup. The difference could mean as much a $7 million per year, one executive from another team told Rapoport.
It's easy to see why the Browns would angle for a deal today, with Hoyer slated to earn $1 million this year in the final season of the two-year pact he signed in May 2013.
The 28-year-old journeyman started just three games for the team last season -- winning two -- but Hoyer quickly impressed Mike Pettine and Cleveland's new coaching staff during his return from the torn ACL he suffered last October.
If an extension were to come sooner than later -- which sounds unlikely -- two recent contracts for "bridge" quarterbacks are worth a look: Matt Cassel's two-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings and Chad Henne's two-year, $8 million arrangement with the Jaguars.
Keeping Manziel on the bench looms as a herculean task, but Hoyer will enter camp as the team's No. 1 arm after his "far superior" play during OTAs and this month's minicamp.
The Browns have yet to discover what they truly have in either signal-caller, but the current combination of passers is wildly preferable to the parade of nonsense Cleveland has wheeled out under center since 1999.
Coach Drunk Gruden
Offense:
QB-Coldnoodle
Backup QB-SpinDasher
Goalline/3rd down RB-Wanderingwind
RB-Grover Cleveland
RT-Unknownstranger
LG-bigosc2k
LT-Syrinx
WR-Bionic
WR-JABEE
Slot-Cashman
TE-Chris.trejo
Defense:
DT-Kas
CB/Punter-Kick Return/Waterboy-Greg
SS-MRSA
FS-Bread
CB-Gata (Dime/Nickle package)
MLB-Zvonimir Boban
MLB-Dutch
OLB-Kaveman
Special Teams
Punter-Narag
Place holder-rando14
Long Snapper-Eleuin
Missing
LG,RT,C,DT, Offensive and Defensive coaches.
who should I be rooting for?
Poor Ninja, his team is going to be renamed to the Warriors/Americans/insert other trendy name here and he just got burned by bionic.
less of this
More of this Johnny
FIFY my BFF BG!
We almost have a full team!! Surprised we haven't had any pass rushers.
Serious question? I'm pretty sure Gata is still under 5' tallWho's taller Manziel or Gata?
who should I be rooting for?
Who doesn't want to see France play Germany next round?
Washington Monuments. So that their mascot can be that penis shaped building in Washington.
Who doesn't want to see France play Germany next round?
who should I be rooting for?
Just know that there's only one choice that doesn't make you a racist!
Me!
you talked me into itCome on man, Nigeria v Algeria to guarantee an African team makes the semi finals
You want that eye to get more swollenSerious question? I'm pretty sure Gata is still under 5' tall
Come on man, Nigeria v Algeria to guarantee an African team makes the semi finals
I can play Corner... I played OLB in high school but I was never very good at it.
I can be like Jason David.
Coach Drunk Gruden
Offense:
QB-Coldnoodle
Backup QB-SpinDasher
Goalline/3rd down RB-Wanderingwind
RB-Grover Cleveland
RT-Unknownstranger
LG-bigosc2k
LT-Syrinx
WR-Bionic
WR-JABEE
Slot-Cashman
TE-Chris.trejo
Defense:
DT-Kas
CB/Punter-Kick Return/Waterboy-Greg
CB-Doomsayer
SS-MRSA
FS-Bread
CB-Gata (Dime/Nickle package)
MLB-Zvonimir Boban
MLB-Dutch
OLB-Kaveman
Special Teams
Punter-Narag
Place holder-rando14
Long Snapper-Eleuin
Missing
LG,RT,C,DT, Kicker, Offensive and Defensive coaches.
We almost have a full team!! Surprised we haven't had any pass rushers.
Browns.
You want that eye to get more swollen
Really just want to see the Germans win so I don't really care about this match. Would like to see Giroud have a good game I guess
The Gata is going to choot Bread with his sling shot.
The Gata is going to choot Bread with his sling shot.
Added. I think I'll make a team photo with our avatars for the next thread,
I'm not sure what this is or what you're doing but I'm a big dude and played defensive lineman in high school. Usually defensive tackle since we often played in a 5-2 defense.
Coach Drunk Gruden
Offense:
QB-Coldnoodle
Backup QB-SpinDasher
Goalline/3rd down RB-Wanderingwind
RB-Grover Cleveland
RT-Unknownstranger
LG-bigosc2k
LT-Syrinx
WR-Bionic
WR-JABEE
Slot-Cashman
TE-Chris.trejo
Defense:
DT-Kas
DT-wienke
CB/Punter-Kick Return/Waterboy-Greg
CB-Doomsayer
SS-MRSA
FS-Bread
CB-Gata (Dime/Nickle package)
MLB-Zvonimir Boban
MLB-Dutch
OLB-Kaveman
Special Teams
Punter-Narag
Place holder-rando14
Long Snapper-Eleuin
Missing
LG,RT,C,DE, Kicker, Offensive and Defensive coaches.
Squicken please have a word with your boy
We almost have a full team!! Surprised we haven't had any pass rushers.
less of this
More of this Johnny
FIFY my BFF BG!
I'm insulted Gata was picked over me.
Who is the Raiders starting QB?
Who is the Raiders starting QB?
We were really bored yesterday...started talking about what positions we would play, started forming a team and here we are.