I was on a big Brian Hoyer kick last year, when the former Browns and Texans QB became a free agent.

I’m not as giddy about it this season… or am I?

I always felt that Hoyer is the one quarterback we “let get away”, but at this juncture of his career I’m not so sure he’s a suitable backup. I initially had reluctance over the Steelers signing the 31-year-old former Patriot as a backup, since New England never lets their quarterbacks go without attempting to get something in return for them: Matt Cassell and Ryan Mallett were often dangled as trade bait, and now Jimmy Garoppolo is in a similar position.

If Hoyer were so good, why didn’t he generate the same buzz in his three years with them?

The Steelers signed Brian as an insurance policy for a short period during the 2012 season, before he would be released and wind up with the Arizona Cardinals.

Hoyer would play for the Browns next, starting the season as the third quarterback on the depth chart, but leapfrogging to starter over Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell before long. He spent two tumultuous years in Cleveland (one which ended with an ACL tear) before moving on to the Houston Texans, where Hoyer was supposed to become the long-term starter, but would instead get benched for the aforementioned Mallett (who was acquired in a late August trade).

The Texans released Hoyer last season, who then signed as a backup with the Bears. Once again, he played admirably given the situation with injuries and lack of talent in Chicago. Despite being 1-4 as a starter, Hoyer had a 67% completion percentage, threw for 1,445 yards, and connected on 6 touchdowns with zero picks.

However, the injury bug once again bit Hoyer, ending his lone season in Chicago prematurely. It’s possible he ends up back with the Bears, depending on what they do with current starter Jay Cutler (who’s injury led to Hoyer’s playing time) and third string backup Matt Barkley (who is also set to become a free agent). Either or neither could be back, leaving the Bears with anywhere from 0-3 quarterbacks.

It’s also possible Hoyer enters free agency, and if so, his price tag is in the right price range for Pittsburgh: he signed a one-year, $2 million deal to be the Bears backup in 2016, which is similar to other deals the Steelers have made in the past for Bruce Gradkowski.

Is Hoyer the right fit for the Steelers?

Despite the right price, something tells me he is not. I’m thinking Hoyer could be damaged goods from bouncing around from franchise to franchise the last few seasons. There’s also a chance another team could see he had a decent season with the Bears, and offer him a higher salary than the Steelers would be willing to offer themselves. That larger contract could also come with another opportunity to become a starting quarterback.

The Steelers wouldn’t be in a position to offer either perk to the QB.

Hoyer’s situation is strictly a cost-to-benefit ratio. Hoyer north of 30 and in the twilight of his career. He is a more experienced, and possibly better qualified backup than others entering free agency, and perhaps even those backups on the Steelers roster. However, the Steelers would have to make a decision on what to do about those other quarterbacks, in order to consider bringing Brian in.

Do they let Landry Jones leave?

Do they draft a rookie this year?

What about Zach Mettenberger, who has one year remaining on his deal?

This is quite the opposite situation I had brought up about whether the Steelers should consider signing another former Browns quarterback, Josh McCown. McCown would be 38 years old when the 2017 season starts, and may not have many, if any, seasons left in him.

Hoyer, on the other hand, is 31 and won’t turn 32 until late October. This could give him several solid seasons to work with the Steelers, as a stable backup to Ben Roethlisberger, as well as an experienced hand who could help develop a future draft pick.

If that’s the type of Brian Hoyer Pittsburgh would receive with a fair deal, I say sign it. Yet, part of me hopes that the Steelers don’t pull the trigger on another backup QB who could get easily hurt (Byron Leftwich, Michael Vick, and Gradkowski) leaving them with nothing more than a third string player as their primary option behind Big Ben.

In that scenario, I would prefer keeping the younger, and healthier Landry Jones.