Report: Brian Hoyer expected to leave Browns after season

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer is reportedly not expected to return to the team next season, short of a playoff berth.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer is not expected to return to the team next season, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.

However, according to Schefter, if the Browns make the playoffs it could "force ramped up efforts" to keep Hoyer, who becomes a free agent after the season. At 7-5, Cleveland is currently in a three-way tie for second place in the AFC North.

The Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans have both been reported to be interested in the veteran, and Schefter reports Hoyer is expected to have free agent suitors who value him more than the Browns do.

Last Sunday, Hoyer was benched for the first time this season in favor of rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel. Manziel came into the fourth quarter of a game against the Bills, with the Browns down 20-3, and ran for a 10-yard touchdown.

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In his last two games, Hoyer has thrown five interceptions and no touchdowns. 

On Wednesday, head coach Mike Pettine announced Hoyer will start on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports Cleveland plans to keep Hoyer at quarterback for "as long as the Browns are in the thick of the playoff race," however Hoyer's leash could be as short as the game against the Colts.

Hoyer, 29, has completed 56.2 percent of his passes this season for 3,056 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. During an Oct. 5 game against the Tennessee Titans, he rallied Cleveland to a win after a 25-point deficit, the largest comeback in league history by a road team.

- Molly Geary