Report: Seahawks re-signing backup QB Geno Smith for 2020 season
May 14, 2020, 2:12 PM
The Seahawks are reportedly bringing back QB Geno Smith for 2020. (Getty)
(Getty)
The Seahawks appear to be keeping some continuity in their quarterback room, as it’s been reported that Geno Smith, who was starting quarterback Russell Wilson’s backup in 2019, will be back with the team.
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According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, Smith and the Seahawks will reunite on a one-year deal for the 2020 season.
Geno Smith and Seahawks have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 14, 2020
Smith, 29, started his career with the New York Jets as a second-round pick in the 2013 draft. He started 30 of the 33 games he played in for the Jets between 2013 and 2016. He then played one year for the New York Giants in 2017 and one year for the Los Angeles Chargers, both years serving as a backup, before joining the Seahawks last season.
Overall in his career, Smith has completed 57.7% of his passes for 6,182 yards and 29 touchdowns against 36 interceptions.
Last offseason, Smith beat out former Denver Broncos first-round pick Paxton Lynch for the backup spot. During three preseason games, Smith completed 18 of his 34 passes for 282 yards. He threw two touchdowns and had no interceptions.
Wilson has been one of the more durable quarterbacks since entering the league in 2012 and has yet to miss a game. Due to this, as well as that the Seahawks never had big enough leads or deficits to warrant putting in second-string players, Smith did not play a single snap in 2019, though he did take part in the Pete Carroll tradition of having the backup quarterback go out for the coin toss in overtime games.
There had been some rumors swirling that the Seahawks may wind up with former NFL MVP Cam Newton, who remains a free agent. In fact, Fowler, who broke the news that Smith was returning to the Seahawks, told 710 ESPN Seattle’s Bob, Dave and Moore the day before Smith’s reported signing that Newton going to the Seahawks made a lot of sense in his opinion.
Smith’s return leaves the Seahawks with three quarterbacks on their roster. Along with Wilson and Smith, Seattle has undrafted rookie Anthony Gordon, who had an incredible season with the WSU Cougars in 2019. He set WSU and Pac-12 records for passing touchdowns (48) and yards (5,519). He now will square off with the veteran Smith for the backup spot, though Gordon could land on the Seahawks’ practice squad if he impresses but doesn’t do enough to earn that backup role.
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