MINNEAPOLIS -- Former Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer had no idea that Josh Gordon was playing under the influence after coming off suspension in 2014, but now that Gordon has admitted it, it explains a lot.

"Looking back on it, it makes sense,'' Hoyer told cleveland.com at the Super Bowl Thursday. "I can specifically remember in the Colts game (a 25-24 loss after which Hoyer was benched in favor of Johnny Manziel) where he was supposed to run an in-route and he broke out and I remember getting ready to throw it and I was like 'oh my gosh, he went the wrong way' and it just little things like that where you were like 'C'mon Josh.'''

Hoyer, back in a familiar role as Tom Brady's backup, felt somewhat vindicated about the rocky end to that 2014 season when he read Gordon's GQ admission in November that he drank alcohol or smoked marijuana before every game of his career. Gordon played the final five games of that year, and contributed to Hoyer's late-season benching because he was often a liability on the field.

In his final four starts, including three with Gordon, Hoyer threw one touchdown against eight interceptions -- many on passes intended for the troubled wideout.

"At the time I thought he had been out for 10 weeks, he just wasn't caught up and it was hard for him to learn,'' said Hoyer. "But not only was he out for those 10 weeks, he was dealing with some real issues. It's hard enough to play in this league when you're completely sober, so to do this stuff when you're having issues like that, it makes sense to me a little bit.''

Hoyer knew Gordon was off, but couldn't say anything publicly.

"You're never going to throw someone under the bus,'' he said.

Gordon's struggles didn't stop the Browns from targeting him. Hoyer threw to him 29 times in his first two games back, with 15 completions for 195 yards. But Hoyer also threw five interceptions -- matching his total in his first 10 starts of that season, when he went 6-4.

The problem was evident right from Gordon's return in Atlanta. He was targeted a game-high 16 times, and caught eight passes for 120 yards. But Hoyer threw three picks and was distraught afterwards -- regardless of a 26-24 victory sealed with a game-winning field goal drive. Already on thin ice because of Johnny Manziel Mania, Hoyer knew his starting position wouldn't withstand games without a touchdown pass, but with those interceptions and a 52.3 rating.

"I was about to lose my job right then and there, but then we come back and have this drive to win the game and it's like 'okay, you're safe for one more week.'''

But Hoyer was visibly shaken in the locker room.

"It was just an emotional up and down game. Imagine trying to play when you know someone else is about to take your job if you have a bad day.''

By the following week, in a 26-10 loss to Buffalo, Hoyer threw two more picks and was yanked for Manziel, whom the front office had been wanting to play for a while.

"(Gordon) had a seam route in that game and when you have a seam route, you always go in front of the safety,'' said Hoyer. "Well, he went behind him and it hit the safety right in the chest. But now knowing what he admitted to, I really can't blame that on him. He probably wasn't in the right frame of mind to be playing football.''

Hoyer never suspected Gordon was using before games. Ultimately, Gordon was benched for the final game of the season and then embarked on three years out of football.

"He hid it well," said Hoyer. "He kind of admitted to that. That's why it was so astonishing, especially the year before, the year that he (led the NFL with 1,646 yards). It takes a big person to come out and admit that and take those steps to move forward. I'm really pulling for him, because I got to witness firsthand how good he is, and he's definitely a talent that belongs in this league.''

Hoyer said he wasn't the only one who didn't know that Gordon was beating the system on a weekly basis.

"It was never even a rumor in the building, so it had to be tough on him and thankfully he sought out the right treatment and now he's back," he said. "I hope he can stay that way and continue to play in this league for a long time because he's definitely built for it.''

Hoyer texted Gordon at one point to offer his support, "but someone else texted back so he must have changed numbers."

He said Gordon's return to the Browns this season after three years out of football is a testament to his talent and to his recovery.

"That kind of speaks to where he's at in his life,'' he said. "From what I can remember, he said he had to get his life right first before he could even focus on football. If you couple a healthy lifestyle with Josh Gordon and allow him to work out and play football, it's going to be a scary combination.

"I hope for his sake he'll be able to continue that because he'll be a star in this league.''