Patriots agree to 3-year deal with QB Brian Hoyer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Brian Hoyer is back with the New England Patriots less than a day after being released by the San Francisco 49ers.

The Patriots announced Wednesday that Hoyer had signed a deal with the team but did not disclose terms. League sources told ESPN that the veteran quarterback agreed to a three-year contract.

The deal is worth a total of $4.41 million, with Hoyer set to earn $476,000 in 2017, $915,000 in 2018 and a base salary of $2.85 million ($1.5 million guaranteed with a $200,000 roster bonus) in 2019, a source told ESPN's Field Yates.

Hoyer returns to the team where his NFL career began as an undrafted player out of Michigan State in 2009. He served as Tom Brady's backup through the 2011 season, before moving on to stops with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2012), Arizona Cardinals (2012), Cleveland Browns (2013-14), Houston Texans (2015), Chicago Bears (2016) and 49ers(2017).

Hoyer was released by the 49ers on Tuesday, after they acquired quarterbackJimmy Garoppolofrom the Patriots in exchange for a 2018 second-round draft choice.

The 32-year-old Hoyer joins Brady as the two quarterbacks on the Patriots' roster. They have remained close friends over the years.

Hoyer has started 37 career games, which gives the Patriots an experienced option behind the 40-year-old Brady. Hoyer has a record of 16-21, completing 59.3 percent of his passes, with 48 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.

"Brian's a smart guy," said Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. "He's got some years in our system and our terminology, so it will be kind of a cram session here; but I don't expect that to take forever, because Brian's an intelligent guy that had plenty of exposure to what we do. I know he'll work hard."

Hoyer's background in the Patriots' system made him the obvious choice to fill the in-season void created by the Garoppolo trade, though New England wasn't the only team that expressed interest in signing him.

Hoyer signed a two-year deal with the 49ers in free agency this year and entered the season as the clear-cut starter for the first time in his nine-year career. He started the first six games, before he was benched in favor of rookie C.J. Beathard in the team's loss to theWashington Redskinson Oct. 16.

"We really want to thank Brian for everything he brought to our organization," 49ers general manager John Lynch said Tuesday. "He's been a true pro, both when he had the opportunity to be the guy and then when we made the move to move on to C.J. He's been nothing but supportive in every manner. We wish Brian the best going forward."