Don Wright/Associated Press
The New England Patriots came to terms on contracts with quarterback Brian Hoyer and linebacker Brandon Copeland in free agency Sunday, according to Jim McBride of the Boston Globe.
This marks Hoyer's third stint with the Patriots since they signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2009, while Copeland is joining the Pats after two seasons each with the Detroit Lions and New York Jets.
The Patriots could lean on Hoyer as a bridge starter after Tom Brady's decision to leave New England, where the future Hall of Famer played for 20 years and won an all-time most six Super Bowl titles, for Tampa Bay as a free agent for the first time in his career.