Raiders sign veteran Hoyer

HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders have their potential backup to Jimmy Garoppolo, returning to a familiar place to sign quarterback Brian Hoyer on Tuesday.

Hoyer is the latest player with New England ties to sign with the Raiders, joining the team coached by former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Former Patriots executive Dave Ziegler is Las Vegas’ general manager.

Garoppolo is another one of those players who has played for the Patriots, as is recently signed wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and several others on the roster.

Hoyer’s signing could be a signal the Raiders won’t draft a quarterback with the No. 7 pick and focus on other areas of the team, such as defense and the offensive line. They also could select a QB, such as Florida’s Anthony Richardson, who is considered more of a long-term project and bring him along slowly.

The Raiders needed a backup after losing Jarrett Stidham in free agency to the AFC West rival Denver Broncos.

Hoyer, a 15-year NFL veteran, was the Patriots’ backup quarterback the past three seasons. That was one of three stints in New England; he also has played for six other teams.

He has started 40 career games and appeared in 36 others, passing for 10,668 yards with 53 touchdowns and 35 interceptions.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills moved one major step closer to breaking ground on their new stadium by June 1 after formally submitting the final contractual agreements — including a detailed 30-year lease — to the county on Tuesday.

The Erie County legislature now has 30 days to review the documents and ratify the agreement. The county’s approval would clear the way for construction on the now-projected $1.5 billion-plus, 60,000-plus seat facility to begin across the street from the Bills current stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The cost of the facility has increased from the original estimate of $1.4 billion.

A majority of the construction on the open-air stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2026 season.

The finalized agreements were negotiated by the Bills, the state and county, and posted on the county’s website. The details of the agreement were completed a little more than a year after the three parties reached a tentative deal on the project that included a taxpayer commitment of $850 million — the largest public price tag for an NFL facility.

The NFL, through its G4 loan program, and the Bills agreed to commit $550 million in financing, with team owners Terry and Kim Pegula’s share coming in at $350 million, with much of that made up by the team introducing seat licenses for season ticket holders. The Bills are also responsible for covering any construction over-runs beyond $1.4 billion.

CLEVELAND — Browns second-year wide receiver Michael Woods II likely will miss the entire 2023 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon while working out with quarterback Deshaun Watson in Texas.

A sixth-round draft pick last year, Woods got hurt Monday while catching passes from Watson. A team spokesperson said Tuesday the 23-year-old Woods will need surgery. Recovery time for the injury can take up to a year.

“Odds never define the kid!” Woods posted on Twitter.

Woods, who played at Oklahoma, had just five catches for 45 yards in 10 games as a rookie. But the Browns have been encouraged by his development and expected him to have a larger impact this season. Woods also played on special teams in 2022.

STEELERS: A couple of familiar faces are staying in Pittsburgh. The Steelers re-signed veteran safety Damontae Kazee to a two-year deal and brought back tight end Zach Gentry on a one-year contract. Kazee played well for the Steelers in 2022 after missing the first half of the season because of a wrist injury. Gentry has been used primarily as a blocker since being selected in the fifth round of the 2019 draft, though his role in the offense has grown in recent seasons.

CARDINALS: A person with knowledge of the situation says former Arizona Cardinals front office executive Terry McDonough has filed an arbitration claim against the team that accuses owner Michael Bidwill of cheating. McDonough claims he was eventually demoted after he objected to a scheme that would involve the use of so-called “burner phones” to circumvent the 2018 suspension of then-GM Steve Keim, who had been arrested for DUI. 

PACKERS: Safety Dallin Leavitt is staying in Green Bay as the Packers continue taking steps to keep their top special teams players. Leavitt tied for the team lead with 13 special teams tackles last season.