The Chicago Bears did not draft a quarterback in the 2016 NFL Draft, but the team has still added a new back-up to the mix, as G.M. Ryan Pace confirmed that they have signed veteran Brian Hoyer to a 1-year deal.
The deal was first reported by multiple outlets, including Adam Schefter from ESPN and Brad Biggs from the Chicago Tribune.
The Bears, who still have Matt Blanchard and David Fales on the roster as potential back-ups for Jay Cutler, will instead give Hoyer an opportunity to take over the role in the 2016 campaign. Hoyer spent the 2015 season with the Houston Texans, starting in nine games and completing 60.7 percent of his passes. He threw 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Texans, who won the AFC South championship before being eliminated in the wild card round of the postseason.
Many draft experts thought that the Bears would draft a quarterback, especially with Cutler’s guaranteed money set to come off the books after the 2016 season. Instead, the Bears focused on other needs on defense, and they will try to go through the season with the veteran Hoyer on the roster instead of a draft pick.
