LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with former Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer, giving them a veteran backup to Jay Cutler.

Hoyer was released nearly two weeks ago — a little more than a month after Houston signed Brock Osweiler to a four-year, $72 million contract.

Hoyer signed a two-year contract before last season. He had 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions before committing five turnovers in a playoff loss to Kansas City.

A seven-year veteran, Hoyer threw for a career-high 3,326 yards with Cleveland in 2014, when Bears offensive co-ordinator Dowell Loggains was his quarterbacks coach.

General manager Ryan Pace says the deal announced Saturday had been in the works. He calls Hoyer a "very intelligent player."

___

Online:

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL