The New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers both have new backup quarterbacks.
The difference? One of them is expected to be a franchise quarterback in the near future, while the other will serve as Tom Brady’s backup.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots reached an agreement with former 49ers’ quarterback Brian Hoyer on Wednesday morning, just a day after San Francisco announced Hoyer’s release.
On Monday evening, the 49ers completed a trade to acquire former Patriots’ backup and coveted prospect Jimmy Garoppolo as San Francisco general manager John Lynch swapped the team’s second round draft pick in 2018 to nab a potential franchise quarterback.
Hoyer started the first six games of the season for the 49ers, but was replaced by rookie C.J. Beathard in the team’s 26-24 loss to the Washington Redskins. Beathard is expected to remain the 49ers’ starter for the immediate future, but once Garoppolo learns head coach Kyle Shanahan’s playbook, he’ll have his first full-time opportunity to start in the NFL.