Brian Axel Hoyer (born October 13, 1985) is an American football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Hoyer played college football at Michigan State. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2009 by the New England Patriots and was the backup to Tom Brady until he was released in 2012. He has also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns.