It looks as if 2019 will be yet another year of uncertainty when it comes to the backup quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. Ever since Tavaris Jackson left the team following the 2015 season, the Seahawks have not had much stability at the position.
With Trevone Boykin in 2016, Austin Davis in 2017 and Brett Hundley in 2018, Seattle has employed a new backup each season. It appears that trend will continue as Paxton Lynch and Geno Smith — who is visiting the Seahawks on Wednesday — could be battling each other for the right to back up starter Russell Wilson.
If Seattle ends up signing Smith, the Seahawks will have a third straight year of quarterback competition. In a battle between Smith and Lynch, Smith should have the edge.
Smith started his NFL career off well as a rookie in 2013 but quickly fizzled out and has spent the majority of the last four seasons as a backup on three different teams. His 12-19 record as a starter, along with 29 touchdowns against 36 interceptions, doesn’t exactly inspire tons of confidence. But compared to Lynch, they are vast improvements.
Lynch was a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft but has turned into a bust. From 2016 to 2017, he started only four games and had a 1-3 record with only four touchdowns against four interceptions. The Broncos cut their losses by releasing him before the 2018 season.
Ultimately, neither quarterback is a top-of-the-line option, but Smith should have the edge over Lynch should they duke it out in training camp and the preseason. The good news for the Seahawks is that there is no doubt who the starter is.
