The revolving door of backup quarterbacks for the Seattle Seahawks will continue again in 2019. Veterans Geno Smith and Paxton Lynch will compete for the opportunity to serve as Russell Wilson’s backup, a role that has gone to a different quarterback each of the last four years.
As per tradition, coach Pete Carroll made sure to have at least two quarterbacks not named Wilson in camp, forcing them to compete for the job. No one is just handed a spot on the Seahawks, and both Lynch and Smith will lay their NFL careers on the line hoping for a job in the Emerald City.
Carroll isn’t the only person loving this quarterback battle.
“It’s been fun to work with both of those guys so far,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer commented after OTAs on Tuesday. “It’s kind of my baby. I love developing quarterbacks. I love watching them.”
Lynch was signed to a futures contract back in January, but Schottenheimer admitted the team had to get on him a little bit to help him reach their lofty standards.
That may have led to the signing of Smith in May – a move that will bring in the best in the two former starters, at least if they want a job next season.
“Paxton has a big-time live arm – I mean he really does for a big guy, he’s really quick and athletic, picked up the system well,” Schottenheimer continued. “Geno hasn’t been here nearly as long. He’s got a lot of moxie about him, great huddle command, which is cool to see.”
OTA’s will wrap up this week, but the backup quarterback battle will rage on when the Seahawks take the field for mandatory minicamp starting on June 11.
