Seahawks Cut Paxton Lynch and Name Geno Smith Backup Quarterback
By Karl Rasmussen
The Seattle Seahawks had a backup quarterback battle featuring two notable names. Former college standouts Geno Smith and Paxton Lynch were competing for the backup role behind Russell Wilson, and the Seahawks have officially revealed their plans.
Per Bob Condetta of the Seattle Times, the Seahawks cut Lynch during their 53-man roster trimming, effectively making Smith the team's backup.
A source tells the Seattle Times is that Paxton Lynch has been waived. So Geno Smith the backup QB. No surprise there. Seahawks may try to keep Lynch on the practice squad.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) August 30, 2019
Condotta reports that the Seahawks may attempt to retain Lynch on the practice squad, though it's unclear if he's interested in that option.
Lynch notably took a brutal hit to the head during the preseason opener which forced him to exit the game against the Vikings.
Smith threw for 107 yards and two touchdowns in the team's bout on Thursday, while Lynch completed just one pass in seven tries.
Geno Smith wins the backup job. https://t.co/7M1A0sQJ7F
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2019
Smith has solid NFL experience under his belt. The former New York Jet was selected in the second-round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of West Virginia. He started 29 games in his first two seasons, compiling just 25 touchdown passes to 34 interceptions (21 as a rookie).
He's since latched on with the Bills, Giants and Chargers, making one start (with New York) since 2017.