Tom Brady and Ryan Mallett rooting for Brian Hoyer

If you haven't heard yet, ex-Patriot Brian Hoyer won the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback job over Johnny Manziel. Well, Brian Hoyer still has fans here in New England according to the Providence Journal. Chief among them is the guy Hoyer used to back up - Tom Brady.

“I love Brian. He’s such a great guy, a person, a friend. We’ve always kept in touch. So I’m proud of him,” Tom Brady said. “He’s fought through some tough circumstances over the years – getting released here, going to Arizona, getting a little bit of an opportunity there and really has taken advantage of the opportunity in Cleveland. It’s great for him. He’s a great player. I’m very happy for him.”

A couple of other Patriots weighed in on Hoyer winning the job as well.

“Hoyer, he’s a great student,” Kyle Arrington said. “Learning behind Tom and [seeing] all Tom’s hard work and effort, his leadership. I’m not saying that’s only why Hoyer [made it], because he had to go out there and win the job. All I can really say is I’m proud of him, happy for him and I’ll look forward to see him succeed on Sunday’s.”

“It’s really good to see that for Brian,” Mallett said. “He’s worked hard. He’s worked hard ever since he was here. We always knew he could play. It’s always good to see him get that opportunity.”

Hoyer was Brady's primary back up from 2009-11 and was a Patriot for one more year after the Patriots drafted Ryan Mallett. He was with the Arizona Cardinals before making his way to Cleveland, according to the Providence Journal. Last year, Hoyer was 3-0 before suffering a torn ACL that ended his season.

I hope Hoyer can be successful this time around and stay injury free.