Raiders quarterback Brian Hoyer set to start against Bears on Sunday
The starting role for the upcoming game against the Bears has been granted to Raiders quarterback Brian Hoyer following Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury. Numerous reports confirm this, although Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels has remained tight-lipped about his choice between Hoyer and rookie Aidan O’Connell as Garoppolo’s replacement.
During the Raiders’ Week Four match against the Chargers, O’Connell took the reins when Garoppolo was absent. However, Hoyer has since surpassed O’Connell on the team’s depth chart. In last week’s game against the Patriots, Hoyer entered the field when Garoppolo exited and performed excellently in limited action. This performance appears to have cemented McDaniels’ confidence in Hoyer’s ability to lead the team to victory.
Choosing O’Connell, the rookie, over the 38-year-old Hoyer would have aligned more with McDaniels’ intention of building a team for the future. Nevertheless, McDaniels is currently putting winning as the top priority for the 3-3 Raiders. The Bears, who will start rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent in place of their injured player Justin Fields, provide a highly beatable opponent for the Raiders.
This game will mark Hoyer’s first start as a Raider and the 41st start of his career across eight different teams. Previously, Hoyer has made starts for the Cardinals, Browns, Texans, Bears, 49ers, Colts, and Patriots.
ohn Smith is your NFL insider, providing in-depth coverage of football’s biggest league. With a passion for the game and a keen eye for statistics, John delivers game analysis, player profiles, and breaking news to keep readers updated on all things NFL.