The New England Patriots have signed Andrew Walter, who will have a chance to be the team's backup quarterback behind Tom Brady.

Walter, 27, spent the last three seasons with the Oakland Raiders, with most of his playing time coming in his rookie season in 2006.

During that campaign, Walter started eight games. He has thrown for 1,919 yards and three touchdowns, but 16 interceptions.

The Patriots released Matt Gutierrez, who has been with the club since 2007 but rarely played.

Brady is returning after suffering a serious knee injury in the first quarter of the first game last season.

The Patriots had reportedly been considering former Miami pivot Cleo Lemon in the reserve role, but Walter became available when the Raiders waived him last week.

Team owner Robert Kraft seemed to quash any Michael Vick speculation, telling a reporter on the weekend that the Patriots had no interest in the quarterback recently given a conditional reinstatement with an NFL club after a prison term.