Bears Backup QB Brian Hoyer Stays Ready At A Moment's Notice

By Chris Emma--

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- The mindset of a backup quarterback must stand firm. There's usually a franchise player starting at quarterback, then the looming possibility that he could get hurt.

Really, backup quarterbacks are a play away from becoming the starter and have to prepare as such all season long knowing they may not see the field much. Brian Hoyer learned how to approach this working behind future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady in New England.

With the Patriots, Hoyer didn't start one game, but he began to develop the mindset that helped make him a steady NFL quarterback.

"You just got to take every rep like you're the starter -- every mental rep -- and be ready to go at a moment's notice," Hoyer said. "It's definitely a different mentality because you're preparing like you're going to play, (but) you never know when you're going to play. It could be at a moment's notice."

Hoyer, 30, found himself available after a surprising cut by the Texans this offseason. He quickly emerged as a target for the Bears, Broncos and Jets long after free agency had concluded and just before the NFL Draft began in late April.

With the Broncos or Jets, Hoyer could've potentially pursued the starting job after going 12-10 the past two seasons in 22 starts with the Browns and Texans. Instead of waiting any longer, he made the most comfortable move and signed with the Bears.

Chicago offered an offensive coordinator in Dowell Loggains and quarterbacks coach in Dave Ragone with whom Hoyer is very familiar, plus the stability of working with coach John Fox and starting quarterback Jay Cutler. Everything just seemed to fit with the Bears.

"Things were kind of up in the air," Hoyer said. "I didn't want this opportunity to get taken from me while waiting for some other opportunities."

In 2015, Hoyer threw for 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his 11 games leading the Texans. He helped guide Houston to the playoffs, but his strong season came crashing down in an AFC wild-card game performance to forget -- 15-for-34 with four interceptions and a quarterback rating of 15.9, one that would overshadow a productive season.

The Texans lost that game 30-0 to the Chiefs, then later made the move to find a new quarterback, Super Bowl champion Brock Osweiler. Suddenly, Hoyer became a late addition to the free-agent wire and a piece the Bears wanted to add behind Cutler.

"When he's played, he's been productive," Bears general manager Ryan Pace said. "I like that Dowell has been with him and has a lot of comfort with him. I've watched him play over the years. Very intelligent player. I know that he has strong work ethic because we have coaches that have been with him. So, I think he's a good piece to add to the mix."

Now entering his eighth NFL season, Hoyer has the kind of experience to influence the Bears' quarterbacks room. He played under Loggains, his quarterbacks coach in Cleveland in 2014, and knows Ragone because they attended the same high school. Hoyer first met Cutler after a 2014 preseason game, when Loggains brought Hoyer over to introduce the two. They traded numbers and built a connection.

Hoyer can be influential in Loggains' first season as offensive coordinator, serving as an extension of the coaching staff for Cutler and the offense. That's part of his role that Hoyer embraces.

"The thing that I can bring is playing experience in games," Hoyer said. "While (Cutler) is there -- I've been on the field before -- I know what to look for. When he comes over, he has a question, I can help him out with that. That's probably the biggest role for a veteran backup quarterback who's played before -- to be able to see what's on the field."

Of course, for all Hoyer can do to work with Cutler, Loggains, Ragone and the Bears offense, he knows that one play can suddenly put him on the field as the starter. That's the reality every backup quarterback must consider.

Hoyer has always stayed ready for that moment's notice.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.