on november 1, 2017, hoyer signed a three-year contract to return to the patriots to be the backup to tom brady, with whom he started his career. on november 12, 2017, hoyer was brought in to end the game after the patriots led the denver broncos by more than 20 points. he completed 3 of 3 passes for 37 yards as the patriots won 41–16. in the regular season finale on december 31, 2017, hoyer was brought in to end the game after the patriots led the new york jets by 20 points. he completed 1 of 3 passes for 5 yards as the patriots won 26–6. on january 13, 2018, he appeared late in the patriots' 35–14 victory over the tennessee titans to kneel down in the victory formation. it was his second appearance in a playoff game.