CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Brian Hoyer acknowledged what he and the Browns have known since they agreed to terms Friday night with new quarterback Josh McCown: the hometown hero story is over.

"It's good for both sides to get a fresh start and go our separate ways," Hoyer told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday. "Being from here, I'll always root for the Browns. I know I'm going to be continuing my football career somewhere."

Hoyer, who went 10-6 for the Browns over the past two seasons, is one of the top free agent quarterbacks on the market and will undoubtedly receive plenty of interest as early as Saturday when teams can begin calling agents. Teams can start negotiating deal on Tuesday at 4 p.m., and Hoyer, who will play in Kurt Warner's flag-football charity event in Arizona on Saturday, is eagerly anticipating his next move.

"In between games Saturday, I'll be checking my phone to see if my agent has talked to anyone," Hoyer told USA TODAY Sports. "It's an exciting time, my first time as a free agent.

"You don't know where you'll be living in two months. The good thing is I'll have an opportunity to be on an NFL team, and hopefully, compete for a starting job. ... I have a lot to offer whatever team I go to. My best football is still ahead."

Hoyer will compete for vacancies with Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, Mark Sanchez, Christian Ponder and Shaun Hill. On Thursday, one possible opportunity dried up when Matt Cassel was traded from the Vikings to the Bills, where he'll compete with E.J. Manuel for the starting job.

Texans coach Bill O'Brien coached Hoyer in New England and likes him, but indicated at the NFL combine that he'll give Mallett a shot to be his man. The Rams are looking to bring in quarterbacks to backup Sam Bradford, and the Titans could be looking to drive competition for second-year quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who's represented by the same agent as Hoyer. Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt also started Hoyer in the 2012 season-finale in Arizona.

"I look forward to helping whatever team get better and go to the playoffs," Hoyer said. "If you're in the right situation, believe in yourself, nothing will hold you back."

The Browns have known for some time that they were moving on from Hoyer, but wanted to make sure they had a plan B in place first. When Browns owner Jimmy Haslam took his top club officials to Florida a three-day retreat in late January, they returned home in agreement that they were going in a different direction. Present on the trip were coach Mike Pettine, Farmer, team president Alec Scheiner and general counsel Sashi Brown.

At an appearance at The Great Big Home and Garden Show on Feb. 7th, Hoyer talked like a man who knew he was gone, showing support for former Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who left with two years on his contract, and stressing that his decision on whether or not to stay would be determined in part by the outcome of general manager Ray Farmer's texting scandal.

Hoyer never felt Farmer was in his corner, and wanted to know if the texts contained derogatory comments about him before he'd decide to stay. Hoyer also anticipated having a meeting with Farmer before either side made a decision, but it never materialized. Hoyer waited for Farmer to call him, and Farmer expected Hoyer to come in and meet with him at the Browns facility in Berea.

When the Browns signed McCown to a three-year deal worth $14 million, including $6.25 fully guaranteed, it spelled the end of Hoyer in Cleveland. Coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer each called Hoyer to deliver the news, and although they didn't come out and say it, it meant good-bye.

The move angered many Browns fans, but one NFL coach told Northeast Ohio Media Group he'd start McCown over Hoyer because McCown plays relaxed, doesn't get rattled and was not the reason the 2-14 Bucs struggled last season.

McCown, meanwhile, told NEOMG that he understands Browns fans' devotion to their homegrown quarterback, one who had the Browns all alone in first place in the AFC North after nine games last season before it all fell apart down the stretch.

"I met Brian a few years ago at a workout for the Giants and I was impressed with him and I've rooted for him from afar especially with what he went through a couple of years ago with the knee and to come back this year,'' McCown said. "I love stories like that. It's awesome. I'm a fan of Brian and I his work ethic. It's been a great story of him playing right there in his hometown.

"Trust me, Growing up in Texas, I had dreams of playing for the Dallas Cowboys, so I can appreciate that 100%, and I don't take anything away from anybody who's thrown their support behind Brian.

"Whatever happens with Brian, I wish him well, but I certainly understand the loyalty to a hometown guy who's done the things that he's done and had a role in last year. So I get it, and that's why I'm excited about coming to the city because the get behind people and support the guys. And all I've heard over and over is how much that city loves the Browns, so it's exciting to come to a place like that. I'm looking forward to experiencing it.''

ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden had some encouraging words for Hoyer as he heads into free agency.

"Brian Hoyer has proven he can win games for you," Gruden told USA TODAY Sports. "I was in Green Bay and we cut Kurt Warner. We didn't think he had a chance. He went to Arena ball. And he's going to the Hall of Fame.

"It's all about the coach, the organization building their team around the quarterback and doing everything they can to make him successful."

It's NO surprise and all I can say is...

Go Browns...To Another City!

Personally, I don't blame Brian Hoyer for leaving Cleveland, I mean, they were good up until week #13 and that's when they lost not only their playoff hopes, but also, they have too many irresponsible players, I'm certain that somebody will pick him up, perhaps maybe the Buffalo Bills since Kyle Orton retired and they have no faith in E.J. Manuel

also, the Buccaneers did the right thing by getting rid of Josh McCown, he was FREAKIN' terrible, I like Mike Glennon better than McCown and I hope that Tampa Bay keeps him

I mean, when they went to the Superdome and faced the Saints, even though they lost in OT when Drew Brees and Company won the coins toss and got a TB and went 80 yards for a TD to win, Mike Glennon showed that he can HANG with the Who Dat Nation

also, Cleveland Browns need to get their crap together

Too much nonsense in Cleveland

Personally, I don't blame Brian Hoyer for leaving Cleveland, I mean, they were good up until week #13 and that's when they lost not only their playoff hopes, but also, they have too many irresponsible players, I'm certain that somebody will pick him up, perhaps maybe the Buffalo Bills since Kyle Orton retired and they have no faith in E.J. Manuel

also, the Buccaneers did the right thing by getting rid of Josh McCown, he was FREAKIN' terrible, I like Mike Glennon better than McCown and I hope that Tampa Bay keeps him

I mean, when they went to the Superdome and faced the Saints, even though they lost in OT when Drew Brees and Company won the coins toss and got a TB and went 80 yards for a TD to win, Mike Glennon showed that he can HANG with the Who Dat Nation

also, Cleveland Browns need to get their crap together

Too much nonsense in Cleveland

Tell me about it...I can't even watch football because our team is a ****ing joke...becoming the worst franchise ever if they don't look out...

Quarterback Brian Hoyer will sign with the Houston Texans, a source tells ESPN's Adam Caplan.

The move is expected to happen within the next 24 hours, the source said.

Hoyer, who spent the past two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, will join a Texans team that has reached a two-year, $7 million deal with QB Ryan Mallett.

Hoyer also had expressed interest in signing with the New York Jets.

The 29-year-old Hoyer won the starting job in Cleveland last season in a training camp competition with Johnny Manziel and got off to a fast start.

He brought the Browns back from a 27-3 halftime deficit to tie the season opener in Pittsburgh, before the Steelers kicked a game-winning field goal, and guided the biggest road comeback in NFL history in a 29-28 win over Tennessee.

Hoyer threw three interceptions in Atlanta in November but also led a last-minute drive that won the game. At that point, the Browns were 7-4 and in the playoff chase.

But he was yanked the following week in Buffalo, and his season was never the same.

Hoyer played tight the next week against the Colts and lost his job as the starter to Manziel the following week. He returned only when Manziel pulled a hamstring after six woeful quarters on the field.

For the season Hoyer threw for 3,326 yards with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His season rating was 76.5, which ranked 31st in the league. But Hoyer is the only of the 22 Browns starting quarterbacks since 1999 to have a winning record as a starter (10-6).

Hoyer spent three seasons as Tom Brady's backup and got his chance with the Browns in 2013. He led the team to wins over Cincinnati and Minnesota before tearing his ACL less than five minutes into a win over Buffalo.

ESPN.com Browns reporter Pat McManamon contributed to this report.

Go Texans!

That's sad that the Browns let Brian Hoyer go because he's a good quarterback. Then again I shouldn't be surprised because the Browns are always letting their quarterbacks go hahahahahahahahahahaha. MrCleveland, the Browns have always been a joke LOL.