Chargers make low-risk signing of Geno Smith to backup Philip Rivers

The Los Angeles Chargers are taking a chance on Geno Smith by signing him to a one year deal backing up Philip Rivers.

Nothing has gone right for Geno Smith in his NFL career. At one point a projected high first round pick in the draft, Smith dropped to the second round. Then, after progress toward the end of his rookie season, a punch to the jaw ended any chance of having any sophomore success. Next up, a torn ACL ending his chance of supplanting Ryan Fitzpatrick at the Jets starter. Most recently, after a solid start with the Giants, a decision to bring Eli Manning back meant he was done.

So after two stints in the Big Apple, the West Virginia product is headed out west to back up Philip Rivers on a one year deal. This will likely be his last chance to show what he has to an NFL team. Smith had a 163.9 quarterback rating in his last season at West Virginia. Last year, in his one start with the Giants he had an 89.3 quarterback rating. This is a respectable number that can mean a start for a solid career in the NFL.

From the Charges point of view, Philip Rivers is 36 and they need to start looking for their quarterback of the future. With no chance at the top four quarterbacks in the draft this year, it is wise to take a chance on Smith who may have something left to prove.

The Chargers shouldn’t see a problem with Smith. He can learn a lot from Rivers who has been through it all. While Smith hasn’t lasted in his first two stops around the league, a third chance may be what he needs to turn his career around.

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The Chargers already have two long-term studs on offense in Melvin Gordon and Keenan Allen. These two can help Smith by giving him legitimate weapons, things he never truly had. This deal is a low-risk deal for the Chargers and a good fit for Smith to try to turn his career around.