Tom Brady has endorsed the ability of Brian Hoyer, his former backup who is now starting for the Cleveland Browns.

"He has everything it takes physically and mentally to play the position," said Brady told Cleveland.com in and email exchange. "He loves football and works hard at getting better."

Brady texted a note of congratulations to Hoyer after winning his first start.

"We talked football whenever we were around one another, but he was solely responsible for his work ethic and improvements over the years," Brady said.